Training and Development - Meaning & Objectives

Training is defined by Wayne Cascio as “Training consists of planed programs undertaken to improve employee knowledge, skills, attitude, and social behavior so that the performance of the organization improves considerably.”

Training is normally viewed as a short process. It is applied to technical staff, lower, middle, senior level management. When applied to lower and middle management staff it is called as training and for senior level it is called managerial development program/executive development program/development program.

Objectives/Purpose/Goals of Training and Development

The purpose of training and development can be explained as follows.

1. Improving Quality of Work Force:

Training and development help companies to improve the quality of work done by their employees. Training programs concentrate on specific areas. There by improving the quality of work in that area.

2. Enhance Employee Growth:

Every employee who takes development program becomes better at his job. Training provides perfection and required practice, therefore employee’s area able to develop them professionally.

3. Prevents Obsolescence:

Through training and development the employee is up to date with new technology and the fear of being thrown out of the job is reduced.

4. Assisting New Comer:

Training and development programs greatly help new employees to get accustomed to new methods of working, new technology, the work culture of the company etc.

5. Bridging the Gap between Planning and Implementation:

Plans made by companies expect people to achieve certain targets within certain time limit with certain quality for this employee performance has to be accurate and perfect. Training helps in achieving accuracy and perfection.

6. Health and Safety Measures:

Training and development program clearly identifies and teaches employees about the different risk involved in their job, the different problems that can arise and how to prevent such problems. This helps to improve the health and safety measures in the company.