Assess your training needs
Businesses that invest in training are more productive, proactive and profitable. The need for ongoing training applies just as much to managers and small businesses as it does to large firms and factories. So, first and foremost it's important that you have a good understanding of your training needs.
If you haven't talked to TAFE for a while, you'll be impressed with our range of training products - more than 800 programs across all industry sectors. But most of all, you'll be delighted with our ability to come up with a tailored training solution just for you!
Take the first step towards achieving your business goals and assess your training needs. Alternatively, contact an institute and they will conduct a skills audit and training needs analysis to assess the level of skills within your organisation.
Step 1: look at your business
Step 2: look at your staff
Step 3: identify your training needs and draw up a training and development plan
Step 4: choose an institute
Step 1: look at your business
Training is not just about developing skills - it's about changing attitudes and exposing yourself and your business to different ideas.
Ask yourself: How well are we doing?
- Are we on track to achieve our long-term business goals?
- Are we doing well compared to our competitors?
- How is our bottom line? Could it be better?
- Are our clients happy with our service?
- Are our staff happy in their jobs?
- What business areas could benefit from training?
Am I completely satisfied with:
- the quality of my products or services?
- the efficiency of my business systems?
What goals do I want my business to achieve? Look at the:
- target production rate
- budgeted operating costs
- maximum acceptable time lost through injury
- maximum acceptable level of customer complaints or dissatisfaction
- maximum acceptable shrinkage or wastage
- targeted increase in market share.
Ask key staff or managers in your business what they want to accomplish and how training could help them achieve their goals.
For example, if you need to reduce production costs, targeted training can improve your production processes by decreasing re-work or rejection of defective products.
Step 2: look at your staff
You can't expect staff to come along for the ride unless you invest in the training and skills they need to confidently do what you need them to do.
Consulting with all staff on an annual basis to determine their training and development needs is a great place to start!
You can do this by organising:
- a focus group or
- one-on-one meetings.
After consulting with your employees, analyse the results to determine where the skill gaps lie. Compare the skills your staff currently have with the skills they require to do their current job, and with the skills they will require to contribute to, and achieve the future development of your business.
Step 3: identify your training needs and draw up a training and development plan
Combine the information you gathered about your staff skills and gaps with the information about the business goals you want to achieve. Record your analysis in an easily retrievable format, such as a table -- this analysis will help you to identify both your immediate and future training needs. Ask yourself - What training do I need to give my staff to ensure they can work to achieve the business goals I've identified and within the timeframes I want?
Identify the types of courses or on-the-job experiences requested, the number and levels of people requiring training (for example, shop floor, managers) and, if applicable, the number of in-house training sessions needed.
Once you have identified your training needs, you can draw up a training and development plan. The plan will help you work with your chosen institute to organise and manage the type of training that will best meet your needs. It should identify and list all of the courses you've identified, list the employees you've identified to participate, the dates, venues and session times that best suit you.
Step 4: choose an institute
TAFE Queensland is the state's leading training provider with a network of campuses and experienced industry-trained staff across Queensland.
Search a list of all TAFE Queensland courses to find courses or modules that suit the staff training needs you identified in Step 3.
Choose the institute(s) and delivery mode that best suits your training needs.
If you can't find an existing course to meet your business needs, you can work with an institute to develop a tailored solution! TAFE Queensland institutes specialise in developing customised solutions for businesses, using a wide range of flexible training delivery options. A tailored solution can bring your company and your employees all the benefits of the vocational education and training system, specially designed to meet your needs.