Is training really paying off?

[Ann Williams]

Another look

One thing that I have found in South Africa with training is that even graduates are loathe to read - particularly in a second language. Many graduates that I have come across both in a work and social situation will do the minimum amount of reading possible for their degree and then hardly go near a book or newspaper again once they have their piece of paper.

It's part of the reason why Damelin, Boston etc make a lot of money out of giving classes for Unisa degrees. If you just read the darn books - you should be able to pass your Unisa exams without any major hassles.

Dave, I also have a very similar set up with my domestic worker at the moment. She is has a very basic education but can read and write. She very desperately wants to get her driver's licence (she approached me to start with), has spent her own money to get some sample test papers; and on top of it I have basically offered her the use of my old car when she gets the licence. Ie. the motivation is there.

However, for almost two years she battled along and was just not getting anywhere; mainly because trying to learn the various things for the Learner's licence was beyond her for two reasons:
- the books we had were in Afrikaans;
- the amount of information seemed too overwhelming.

To start with I had contacted all of the publishers asking for a Sotho version and they only printed the books in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. I also asked the Translators Institute to have a look at a Sotho version. Thankfully, we now have a book in Sotho. Great.

Next step. Going through the book with her to pick out what is likely to be the most important things based on what is given in the sample exams.

Which brings up the second point - that school doesn't necessarily teach one how to learn something to pass an exam. A person may well know a subject really well but may not pass an exam well as they try and learn everything equally and the task can be too daunting to even start with.

[Upstairs]

I cannot work for a salary alone, as it would kill me. I suspect that he is a youngster, and he has to make decisions. Good to get a qualification and then move on to do what your heart tells you, but be honest with yourself and those around you. To want a certain position just for the financial rewards is not good enough, and eventually the motivation will walk out the backdoor. He needs to decide where he is going and get on that path, even if it means that he has to leave your employment. Too many old timers around wishing they had made that decision when they could. I have a 21 yr old son, and is familiar with the confusion they experience.

[misty]

Hi Debbie,

Training in the workforce is great and I am sure it is appreciated by most workers. Something that bugs me in my workplace, though, is that management comes up with all those courses for the workers that have really got nothing to do with the jobs in hand. The workers are forced to attend those courses, but do so reluctantly.

For successful training I believe there should be some discussion beforehand between workers and management. Let management listen to workers suggestions and their considered needs before courses are devised. This will surely lead to both management and workers maximising on company training.

Bob

[Debbiedle]

Hi Debbie,

Training in the workforce is great and I am sure it is appreciated by most workers. Something that bugs me in my workplace, though, is that management comes up with all those courses for the workers that have really got nothing to do with the jobs in hand. The workers are forced to attend those courses, but do so reluctantly.

For successful training I believe there should be some discussion beforehand between workers and management. Let management listen to workers suggestions and their considered needs before courses are devised. This will surely lead to both management and workers maximising on company training.

Bob

I hear you Bob!

I start every training session with an intro and a question to the delegate - "why are you here?" 80% say because I was told to do this course!

I recently had a top manager at a workshop who did not WANT to be there. He had more important stuff to do at work. He brought the whole group down with complaints, not accepting any alternative theories and general negativity and then had the audacity to come to me afterwards and ask "HOW do I get these people to WORK? They look so enthusiastic here but at work they do NOTHING!"

I was very very proud of myself.....I remained calm!

[Chatmaster]

Hats of to you Debbie! I had a manager like that in February. He made it really tough to get the rest to learn something. Fortunately I had a CEO of another company attending as well. She politely asked him to shut up and learn. That was one of my greatest days ever.

[misty]

My sympathy, and well done Debbie!

Regardless of how you feel attending a particular course, you have to ensure that your negativity doesn't rub off with the rest of the attendees. I have been guilty on at a least one occasion of going on about 'why am I here?' so much that it has had an effect on the other attendees and the course. I told myself afterwards that I needed to tone it down somewhat and that others may think differently about things.

Bob

[Debbiedle]

LOL difficult or disinterested and unmotivated delegates are simply one of the challenges most trainers/teachers face. Partly because there is no communication between manager and delegate.

[Dave A]

Go ahead. Blame it on the managers.

I've seen cases where the employee is queing up for a training course because it is a day away from work, and there is tea and cake, and all sorts of wrong reasons. Then they get there and show that they are not that interested in the topic.

If they are not interested, do everyone else a favour and send them back to work.

Come to think of it, one of the practices is to score the presenter. Maybe there is a case for scoring the delegates and sending that information back to whomever is footing the bill too.

[Debbiedle]

Dave - as tough and as frustrating as it is, IMO, the ultimate responsibility lies with the managers to ensure that they are getting good value from their monetary spend? If not and the incumbent is not participating. Draw the line.

Trainers can send delegates home - but mostly a trainer will find a way to try and break down the barriers - that is what they are paid to do.

The measurement/feedback tools are all there. They just need to be used by all the parties concerned.