TRAINING AS MOTIVATION

Providing training not only enhances knowledge and skills, it also motivates employees, many of whom have come to expect a good provision of training. ‘From the employee’s perspective, training is no longer seen as simply a benefit. It is rather a prerequisite that will allow them to evolve and get a better salary in the future.’

At one pre-employment training programme a endees did not feel confident that they had the skills required by employers. They were also uncertain about the nature of the jobs but this was substantially dispelled after they had visited a call centre. Furthermore, on completion of the course the trainees said that they were more confident and empowered, and were motivated to seek a job.

Training of employees is not only useful in the development of skills, making the person more productive, it is also a signal from the employer that they have an interest in the employee. ‘Human resource incentives are of four types: ongoing training, employment security, pay level and electronic performance monitoring. Ongoing training indicates a firm’s commitment to employee development’.

In many cases the response to training provision by employees was encouraging and one adviser said, ‘I have permission to do my course work in work hours when we’re not busy, which is good. They want you to do training! They are pushing us towards training courses all the time, it’s really good for the staff, everyone feels supported’ .

Other advisers commented: ‘I’ve worked my way up from reservations. The courses and opportunities are there – they will push you if you want to be pushed.’ ‘I’ve put my name down for all the courses – I’ve done them all now.’ ‘The training in my PDP has motivated me to be team leader – its very useful’.