Investing In Employee Training Pays Off. Organisations need strong foundations if they are to grow. Building these foundations from a human resource perspective is sound business sense. Businesses require a practical and relevant basis for training and using industry training packages is the way to go. Read Full Article

Investing In Employee Training Pays Off. Organisations need strong foundations if they are to grow. Building these foundations from a human resource perspective is sound business sense. Businesses require a practical and relevant basis for training and using industry training packages is the way to go.

Increasingly, employers are seeing the benefits of using training packages to increase productivity in the workplace and motivate their employees by being able to recognise the knowledge and skills they have gained through work experience.

Organisations such as CSR, Golden Circle, Queensland Rail and James Hardy Australia are just a few who have completed the process of implementing competencies into the workplace. The implementation of competencies in any workplace needs to be approached as a consultative matter.

This can only occur when there is agreement in the processes involved. Thorough job analysis and identification of skills and competencies is required. Wherever possible the process should include managers, union organisers, supervisors, other staff and human resource personnel.

Training packages benefit all

Building strong foundations using competency standards will assist in successfully developing job/skill profiles that can be used for reclassification purposes, recruitment and selection, training and career-path development.

However, before implementation takes place, these industry competencies need to be identified, developed and agreed upon by all parties within any particular industries.

The vocational education and training sector is now governed by training packages. In simple terms it means that when an organisation purchases a training package they have a complete set of industry standards that include competencies relating to the job. Statements describe not only what a person in a particular job is required to do, but also the depth of knowledge required.

Training packages are now an integral part of the vocational education and training scene. Each industry training package not only includes national industry competencies but other components such as assessment guidelines, learning strategies, assessment materials and strategies on training delivery.

The best choice

Benefits to employees working within a competency-based system include: the opportunity for promotion and self-improvement, improved job satisfaction, the ability to adapt change, and clear and concise job models.

Benefits for the organisation include: high productivity through improved job performance; clear goals and objectives and reduced costs due to less errors; less accidents and absenteeism, a multi-skilled workforce, and less disruption in staff turnover.

Implementation of a competency-based system in the workplace is often perceived as a threat to the status quo.

The challenge is to implement with as little disruption as possible in the workplace. It is important that all parties involved have a thorough knowledge of the system and what, why, where and how the process will evolve and the benefits to the organisation as a whole.

Use a step-by-step process

Using a step-by-step approach to implement will enable you to achieve change, to link standards to actual job profiles, motivate employees, and gain acceptance by all parties.

The step-by-step process can be introduced with a small department or a specific area in your organisation. Any issues that may arise can be dealt with before the process is introduced to the whole workplace.

The process includes these steps: consultation with all stakeholders; job analysis, skills of identification and job redesign; matching skills to competencies; establishment of training needs through skills audits and self assessments, implementation.

Initially the whole process may seem daunting to many employers and employees. Employers who want to utilise their training and assessment dollars and provide necessary career paths and motivation for their people will need to work in partnership with industry consultants who know the system, have used the packages and have a sound track record in the whole process.

For further information, contact MISTAS Manufacturing Industry Skills Training & Assessment Services. Tel: Qld (07) 32 38 5500 NSW (02)9798 9133 Victoria(03) 9230 5714.

Website www.amwu.asn.au Then click on 'MISTAS'