Businesses fail to deliver effective staff training

Less than 40% of businesses believe they deliver effective staff training to new employees, according to a new survey by talent management solutions provider PageUp People.

The survey shows 75% of respondents say the main purpose for staff training is to ensure forms are processed correctly, and information is provided about the business culture.

Over half of the survey respondents also identified the improvement of recruitment reputation, and the retention and productivity of new employees, as key factors with regard to staff training.

But for more than 60% of companies, staff training appears to be an inconsistent process, with more than 60% citing form management – namely the correct completion of forms – as the biggest challenge.

PageUp People chief executive Karan Cariss says staff training is a critical component of the employee “life cycle” and provides companies with a competitive differentiator.

“We see many of our clients facing challenges with employee engagement and retention,” Cariss says.

“When implementing an effective and efficient [staff training] process that is supported by software and consulting services, companies will see a decrease in business costs and an increase in time to productivity of their new employees.”

According to a PageUp People spokesperson, introducing a technology solution can help streamline staff training processes, reducing the amount of time required to perform administrative duties.

“This enables HR personnel and line managers to focus on the strategic aspects of [staff training] such as new hire productivity, retention and employee engagement,” the spokesperson says.

IPA Recruitment chief executive Tricia Phillips says effective staff training is not limited to new employees, urging businesses to up-skill existing staff as the job market tightens.

“It is important that employers make retention a priority…. Employers need to engage staff and look at training and development options for 2011,” she says.

Damon Cantwell, partner at Deloitte Manufacturing, agrees businesses need to prioritise staff training in order to counteract any potential skills shortage.

“Winning companies in 2011 will be those who look at innovative ways to develop and retain their best people, focus on the quality of their products and services so they can differentiate themselves in the marketplace, and improve the skill sets of their people,” Cantwell told StartupSmart.