Outsourcing training functions can help you save time, money, and resources, but it also comes with some challenges and risks. How can you ensure that you choose the right partner, align your goals and expectations, and monitor the quality and effectiveness of the training? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on how to outsource training functions effectively.
Before you start looking for a potential training provider, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with the training, what skills and competencies you want to develop, and how you will measure the results. This will help you narrow down your options and communicate your requirements to the provider. You should also consider your budget, timeline, and preferred delivery mode for the training.
Once you have defined your needs and objectives, you can start searching for potential providers that match your criteria. You can use online platforms, referrals, testimonials, or industry associations to find reputable and reliable providers. You should also evaluate their credentials, experience, reputation, and portfolio of previous clients and projects. You can request proposals, samples, or demos to compare their offerings and prices.
This step is one of the most important one. There are lots of trainers in almost every topic but not all of them are competent enough to deliver the required training. A trainer has to know much more than the training content and preferably has to have hands-on practical experience in the relevant area. Otherwise, the information delivered will be only theoretical and cannot be implemented in the daily life.
After you have selected the best provider for your needs, you need to negotiate and formalize the contract. The contract should specify the scope, deliverables, timeline, budget, payment terms, quality standards, and evaluation methods for the training. You should also include clauses on intellectual property rights, confidentiality, liability, and dispute resolution. You should review the contract carefully and seek legal advice if needed.
Outsourcing training functions does not mean that you can sit back and relax. You need to communicate and collaborate regularly with the provider to ensure that the training is aligned with your goals and expectations, and that any issues or changes are addressed promptly. You should assign a dedicated point of contact for the provider, and establish clear and frequent communication channels and feedback mechanisms.
You should also monitor and evaluate the training to ensure that it meets the quality standards and delivers the desired outcomes. You can use various methods and tools to measure the effectiveness of the training, such as surveys, quizzes, tests, interviews, observations, or analytics. You should also solicit feedback from the learners, trainers, managers, and stakeholders to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the training, and to make improvements if needed.
This one is evaluating the training regards the needs and objectives determined in the first step and evaluate whether they have been achieved or not. If it is not, then evaluating the possible reasons and learning something from it. In my experience, this step can be the most forgotten step or is done without attaching importance to. It is like buying an equipment a specific brand/model for a specific function but not testing it after delivery. This step can be challenging for the technical training, since attendants generally don't spare sufficient effort for evaluation and HR Training professionals are not coming from a technical background. That's why, a systematic approach has to be developed for this step.
Outsourcing training functions does not mean that you can forget about the training once it is delivered. You need to maintain and update the training to keep it relevant, engaging, and up-to-date. You should review the training periodically and make adjustments based on the feedback, evaluation, and changing needs. You should also maintain a good relationship with the provider and renew or renegotiate the contract if necessary.