Training is a Scam!

“Training is a scam!”

“Trainers and training providers are just wasting our time!”

Woah there… Hold on to your horses, partner. Before you accuse any training programmes or those delivering them are bogus, let’s clear the air on some small yet crucial questions that need to be answered first.

1. Why are you having this training?

A problem can only be addressed or solved when we understand it clearly. Defining a good problem statement can help a lot here.

“We want a fun fun session” – is not a valid reason to have a training session.

“We want the trainer to brainwash the staff” – is also not an appropriate aim for a training.

“We want them to be motivated to work” – is a motivation issue, not a training issue.

Training for employees should be focused on task, job, role or function. Hence, the most logical approach is competency-based training, not a motivational talk.

In case you are wondering, competency consist of:

• Knowledge - What they need to know to do the task?
• Skills - What learned abilities or proficiencies must they have to execute the job?
• Behaviour - What action or how would they need to conduct themselves in the role or function that they are assigned to?

Motivation is neither a knowledge, skill or behaviour – it is influenced by various factors, often individualistic in nature. So, assuming having a session where the trainer or speaker stir up excitement or inspirational ideas does not translate to being able to comprehend food safety, write a better report, make thoughtful decisions on projects, or be more prudent when working at heights, just to name a few examples.

2. What would you like to see happen after the training?

“We want your staff to perform better!”

Sure, but what do you mean by better? There are 2 types of improvements that usually people go for when it comes to performance.

• Tangible results - The usual parameters typically are: Quality, Speed, Volume, Cost
• Intangible results - Often related to: Customer Service, Work Habits and Work Climate

Which ever you choose to be “better”, you would need to do some fact finding on what is the current level, what is your targeted level of improvement and, how are you going to measure and calculate the figures that justify the achievement of what you set to achieve.

“Better means better la, why need the hassle to do all of this?”

Well, what you intend to see post-training will determine the success of the training programme. Generally speaking, we can justify the investment of a training intervention when the training has achieved its specific aim. Therefore, what you set to measure becomes the priority.

You can prioritise:

• Efficiency - Achieving the number of learners, completion within allocated time, percentage of budget or cost utilisation. Use this if you only care about ticking all the boxes on your KPIs of organising training for employees and making sure you completed the annual training calendar.
• Effectiveness - Achieving quality of learning design, content, delivery, and ease of application. You can refer to the Kirkpatrick (old or new) model, or any other metrics that focuses on these parameters. Use this if you are serious about the value of learning.
• Outcome - Achieving impact from effective learning. This requires commitment on your part to ensure that learners have the opportunity and willingness to see through the application part after leaving the classroom. Although requires additional work on data collection, it will definitely be worthwhile to do if you would like to gain more support and possible higher funding for training initiatives from top management in the future.

Makes sense?

In conclusion, remember that “Training is a learning event.” – so the two (2) main components are: organising a successful “event”, which requires organising and coordinating skills; and ensuring that “learning” occurs, which requires understanding laws of learning, plan adult learning, design and develop learning strategies, and providing opportunities to apply.

With all of that in mind, try to avoid being “scammed” by being vigilant and not be so gullible or prone to hype and frills offered. Have clear learning objectives and insyaAllah, you’ll be OK.

All the best!

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