4.2. HR - Training

Leading businesses

Leading companies across the UK have already achieved, or are working towards, the Investors in People Standard. They recognise that their success depends on their employees - and that Investors in People is an effective way to make the most of them.

This briefing outlines:

• What Investors in People is, and the benefits it offers.
• How to start working towards Investors in People.
• How to achieve and maintain the Standard.
• Where to get help.

Measuring performance

Measuring performance at all levels is one of the keys to success for growing businesses. Traditional financial measures alone are no longer sufficient.

Measuring an employee's performance and the contribution each individual makes to achieving goals is essential. NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) can help you to do this.

This briefing outlines:

• What NVQs can offer your business.
• How to introduce NVQs.
• What is involved.
• How to use NVQs as effectively as possible.

An effective team

Training can make a mediocre employee good at something, and a good person excellent. On the other hand, a person without training can be a brake on the business.

Whether you are aiming for increased sales, more efficient production, better use of IT, or simply a reliable team that can solve its own problems, training is often the best solution. By taking a systematic approach, you can achieve an excellent return on your training investment.

This briefing covers:

• Identifying your important training needs.
• Deciding on the training objectives.
• Creating a training programme.
• Monitoring and evaluating training.

Win-win at work

Personal development plans provide a powerful, flexible way to link employees' professional and personal development with the development of your business.

A personal development plan is a short, unambiguous written document - usually one side of A4 paper - that maps out how a person can develop skills and progress in his or her job.

Using PDPs, you can engage your people's abilities, commitment and knowledge to maximise their potential and that of your business.

This briefing outlines:

• What personal development plans involve.
• Who needs PDPs.
• How to implement PDPs.