U-Blog1

*This posting will discuss the different types of training (info from this article) ...

INDEPENDENT TRAINING-
Let me just start by saying this can be very helpful, but from personal experience and other things I've heard/read, it's not effective on it's own. At all. Virtual training is nice to look at, but what it usually equates to is someone watching videos and doing web-based puzzles for 8+ hours and then being put into action. There needs to be a medium there. Virtual training gives you limited scenarios, and no real hands-0n experience. That's why there is a need for, after independent training, more hours doing some actual

JOB SHADOWING-
Job shadowing (or an internship, whichever you prefer to call it) is my preferred form of training, and from what I've seen/heard it is the best and easiest way for people to become versed in their new trade. Being able to watch someone who is proficient at nearly every scenario you will encounter throughout your new profession is great. You get a personal course on whatever it is you've decided to do, you are submitted to work you will actually be doing (gives a real-world feel for what the job really entails), and apprenticeship graduates tend to earn higher wages and receive promotions more quickly. On-the-job training can also be a bit of a curse for a newcomer, however, as sometimes they are assigned to a veteran employee who a) doesn't care for them, b) is inexperienced themselves, or c) all of the above. Should that happen, another lackluster employee is very likely to be produced. No matter how well job shadowing and the necessary orientation training goes, to back up these experiences and to ease the process each employee needs

TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION-
Just like virtual training, you can have sit through as many lectures as you'd like, study as many books, and do as much homework on the subject as you'd like, but it still won't prepare you for the real deal. To me, classroom training is indispensable because it gives you a very defined advantage over someone without it. However, classroom training needs a good teacher, a good course plan, and an eager student to truly be effective. Anyone can sit through hours of class and say they've taken the course, but not many people can say they have experienced a course and are better because of it. You have to put in the effort to get the rewards.

To summarize, there is no truly perfect way to train someone; more effective ways, but none truly effective alone. Many places use the three-course method of classroom study, virtual orientation, and then finally some real time in the profession. Whether that time be starting immediately or having an apprenticeship can make quite the difference depending on the person- some learn from being thrown into the mix and adapting, and some learn from being lead by a seasoned individual. Either way it's looked at, job training programs need to have the ability to tailor themselves around the individual they'll be putting to work. Talking with the new or existing hire about their training is the easiest way to find out how they will learn, how an employer will handle that education, and how the company can best get a return on its investment: you.

Workplace Learning

Click here for the articles I'm writing about...

Workforce Training-
There's no tip-toeing around it: America needs better workforce training. I have experienced the need first-hand. Companies have been and are lately (mainly due to the economy) ignoring the need for training or cutting out training programs altogether. This is something that should not be allowed to happen. I'm sure the companies could find better places to trim fat than to jeopardize the future of an organizations competent and precise operation abilities.

To summarize, the articles are getting to mainly two basic points, and those are that workforce training is suffering and America, as a functioning workforce, is falling behind quickly.

Addressing Congress in mid-2008, Bill gates has mentioned himself that-

"our position as the global leader in innovation is at risk."

To me, this is sad. Capitalism is great, but penny pinching in the training department isn't something that should be allowed to fly. It doesn't just impact the money being saved by an individual or corporation, it effects everyone in the near future.

This all stems back to education and how our culture sees it. Many third world and rising economies are far more focused on achieving than Americans. This in turn creates a need for more workplace training, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not great. Workplace training should be necessary as a sort of orientation and job shadowing is a must, but were students better prepared before entering the work world, competition may not be so stiff.