Within any organization, it is critical the HR develops and fosters a culture of learning both formal and informal. These days informal learning is gaining ground and is one of the richest and most effective sources of learning especially as Gen Y enters the workforce. The attitudes, values, practices followed within the company need to continuously support learning. Not all learning needs to be in a classroom setting. 70% of learning happens on the job. However for this to happen, a collaboration between Business and HR is vital.
- Walk the Talk – leadership team needs to understand the relevance of training and encourage this culture within their teams.
- HR needs to brand and promote training in an exciting way. Use posters, interesting mailers, animated videos to showcase training as inspiring and yet engaging.
- Encourage open communication and feedback. Respect people for the feedback, suggestions and ideas they given you and make it a point to work on / study these ideas.
- Managers should be encouraged to take juniors for meetings maybe above their levels of delivery, not necessarily to contribute in such meeting but to absorb and understand the discussion.
- Social learning is gaining a lot of importance these days. HR needs to encourage employees to share success stories and best practices on the intranet so that it’s available to employees across the globe. Upload videos of great work done. Start special forums online, where employees with similar roles, skills, can come together virtually and discuss thoughts, share ideas. Gamification is gaining much popularity lately as it couples learning with fun. Animated videos, Webinars, MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses, e-learning can also be used to foster the development of employees. Employees enjoy learning in a format that is fun and inspirational at the same time.
- Sell training by linking it to professional advancement at every stage. Training is not an end in itself. Rather it is a journey towards an end. At the time of the annual performance appraisal, importance must be given to what the employee has learnt new, the skills and competencies he has developed.
- Introduce certifications for training programs. Recognize and award employees who complete training modules.
Devil lies in the details. Have training modules which are fun, easy to use, fresh in content, mobile and have a cross generational appeal.
Remember learning is life long and continuous. There will also be better and more innovative ways to do things. Your best employees are the ones who never stop learning.
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The author is an alumna of Goa Institute of Management and currently working with Citi Bank as an HR Generalist. She has also worked with The Times Group.
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