Did you know that if you offer your employees training opportunities to either a) help them upgrade their skills, b) earn a promotion or c) both, you have a great chance of retaining them over a period of years?
Employee churn can cost a business considerably. Not only in the cost of finding a new employee and getting him or her up to speed, but also in the loss of historical knowledge regarding what your company has done in the past, as well as knowledge of its past successes and failures.
Training allows you to keep your employees engaged, challenged and wanting to come back on Monday mornings for more.
Read below for some tips on best practices when it comes to employee training.
- Skills training is terrific, but don’t forget to train our employees on your firm’s mission, goals and values. It’s wise to offer team-building exercises, as well as information sessions so that your workers will have a better idea regarding your company’s history, its hoped-for future and how “things are done here.”
- Consider cross training employees. And do so not just because you’ll have more people available to pinch hit when necessary. Instead, look at it as a way to give employees insights into other departments and positions. It also might spark an interest in a new career path for an employee within your company.
- Start a mentoring program and start it quick. Mentoring programs help mentors and mentees alike. Skilled higher ups become engaged in an up-and-comer’s futures with the firm. Rising stars get the wisdom of managers’ and leaders’ considerable experience. Mentors who work in the same department or division are fine, but consider offering mentors/mentees the chance to connect with someone outside their departments.
- By all means available, aim to make the training programs as engaging – even entertaining – as possible. Employees will retain more of what they learn and may actually enjoy attending training sessions – and talk them up with coworkers!
- In addition to setting goals for each employee (individual goals), set department- and company-wide employee training goals.
- Trying to do more with fewer employees? Cross training (see above) will help employees meet new expectations. In addition, training newly-promoted employees will help them better succeed in their new positions.
- Don’t forget training in sexual harassment, risk management, diversity training, etc. You’d be surprised how many employees don’t know about safety tips, how flirting can get them in trouble, and so on. Forewarned – and trained – is forearmed for your staff members.
What types of training programs does your Inland Empire firm offer employees? Have you instigated training recently? If so, have you noticed a decline in employee turnover?
When you need skilled and reliable workers for your Ontario-based business, call upon the recruiters at Arrow Staffing. We look forward to hearing how we can help you find great people for your temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire opportunities.