Training Programs within Management Systems - Essay Example

Introduction Many companies use various training programs within their management systems. These training programs are aimed at improving work efficiency .There are several types of training programs that an institution can embrace. They include: induction, apprenticeship, training centers, shadowing, mentoring, and coaching and job rotation. Some of these training programs are discussed when an organization is establishing its goals and objectives so as to improve on the performance of its employees. Induction is a training program in which a relationship is built between an employee and an organization. It is applied when there is a new employee who takes a new position in an organization. This process involves a new worker being introduced to his or her managers, supervisors and colleagues. They are also shown new ways of doing things, new environment and the employment conditions to help them learn the job. For instance, at the workplace, one is introduced to the orientation on; the job requirements, office layout, local workplace issues or customs, health and safety information and the workstation. It also involves the use electronic mail and communication system, working conditions, processes and procedures. Apprenticeship is another training program where an agreement is established between a person (apprentice) who wishes to learn a skill and an employer who needs skilled employees. Apprenticeship is an industry -based learning system that involves combining the on-the -job experience with the theory learnt in the classroom. For example in an institution, apprenticeship for learners in a technical classroom may be a continuation from the secondary school system and then followed by successive years of on-the-job-training. When the apprentice completes the specified training period, a certificate of qualification is awarded. Shadowing is the type of training where individuals are given a chance to broaden their knowledge and understanding of a particular role that concerns their current department or other departments. In organizations for instance, it involves making observations on the day to day aspects of the roles, asking questions on various work practices and sharing of the best approaches that can improve on the performance of employees of an organization. Mentoring is the kind of developmental relationship whereby a person who has a long experience in a given field of study assists a person with less experience. At the workplace for instance, mentoring can take place in form of interacting face to face with persons that need constant help on how to carry out their activities. Coaching is a way through which a group of people are directed, instructed and trained with the aim of achieving a particular goal or the development of specific skills. For instance, when people are directed, it involves motivational speaking while training may involve the attending of workshops, seminars and supervised practice (Carter, and McMahon, 2005: 192). Job rotation is a situation whereby there is a lateral transfer of employees among the different positions and tasks within the workplace with the aim of acquiring different skills and responsibilities. In job rotation, the workers are given an opportunity to learn several different skills and perform those duties for a specific time period. In essence, job rotation enables individuals to gain some experience at the various phases in a business to expand their perspectives. For instance, at the senior management it may be done in readiness for a succession plan while at the lower management level job rotation may be done to ensure skill enhancement and also promotions. Tesco Supermarket It is a British supermarket with profits surpassing over billions of dollars. It has employees who are over 400,000 in number and the number of stores exceeds 3,720. It generally deals with foods, drinks, software, financial services, insurance, dental plans, electronics, clothing and internet services. Training at Tesco Supermarket This company uses some of the training programs that include; apprenticeship program, administered of multiple choices essays among other programs. The management of the company normally invites the external experts to address the issues that relate to corporate responsibility strategy, improvement of performance as well as reporting issues. Members of staff referred to as the Energy champions are trained on how to motivate their staff and educate their colleagues on the ways and means of conserving energy so as to minimize of their cost of production. Training and guidance programs are normally issued to the country and the corporate-level representatives so as to report on the issues that relate to dealing with emissions taking place within the environment. The other training program been used within the company involve the use of the adaptive learning suite that is intended to create, deploy, manage and tracking the training and employees in undertaking their tasks in the right way. The supermarket undertakes retail apprenticeship programs for its staff .Employees are awarded a City & Guilds certificate after completing the program. The program normally starts in September of every financial year of a company .It entails learning of key skills to develop employees in their employment, educational and everyday life. The training is administered to the employees in three levels which are Bronze, silver and Gold Levels. At the Bronze level, employees are given training on the basic skills such as health and safety so that they can be in a position to carry out their tasks property and also learn skills that prevent them from getting injuries. At the silver level, employees are given training on the basic information of the goods and services they are dealing with while at the Gold level they are trained in their areas of expertise such as Pharmacy and Banking. They also offer programs in vocational training through the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and it is usually done at the shop floor by the senior managers. These programs are aimed at consolidating the knowledge that the employees have acquired while working at the supermarket (Carter, and McMahon, 2005: 192). The employees are also examined through multiple choice exams where they are examined on their general understanding of the business and what was learned at the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) training sessions .Options is another training program that entails focusing on people who are interested in improving their careers so as to move up in the job ladder. It is taken for duration of about 6 to 12 months and out of every ten employees only one attends them. Tesco also has a training program known as Tesco Week in Store Together (TWIST) that is meant for managers in the stores, distribution and the head office departments. It is normally undertaken once in every year with an aim of enforcing the values and knowledge that will assist the employees get the best services for their customers. The research method that has been used to gather information about the company is the interview method. The interview method is a qualitative research method that is used in searching for in depth information that relates to particular issues that may be affecting an organization (Conway, and Roenisch, 1994: 156). The following is a set of questions that I used to acquire information. Questionnaire 1. What Does Tesco Supermarket deals with a) Foods & Drinks b) Clothing c) Software d) Electronics e) Financial services f) Insurance services g) Dental services 2. How many employees does it have 440,000 employees, some are full time while others are part time employees. 3. Does the Supermarket have any training programs Specify the different types of training programs Yes, The Company has the Retail apprenticeship program, the National vocational Qualification program {NVQ}, Options and Tesco Week in Store Program (TWIST). 4. How many times does undertake the training in a particular year Depending on the program one has undertaken, the duration ranges from six months to one calendar year. 5. What does the training program hope to achieve It ensures that the employees they have the general knowledge of the business, what they are required to do and ensure that they embrace teamwork in the workplace. 6. Which employees are targeted for the training All employees when they are actually employed and for those who want to advance their careers. 7. What is the company's policy on training When an employee is employed for the first time, they have to be inducted into the company's policies. The company also endures to find that employees are developed career wise using seminars and workshops. The training program that is considered most cost effective A cost effective training program is a program that utilizes the internal talent rather than outsourcing professionals from outside the organization. The employees who have the knowledge and expertise in the organization can be used to train those who do not have the skills. For example, if a certain employee has knowledge about software such as Pastel, instead of hiring a pastel guru, the management can utilize such a person to assist the rest in performing tasks that require the use of such a program. Mentoring is a cost effective method of training because the organization does not need to outsource professionals from outside. The employees with a wider experience base can assist in training those who do not have the skills. The type of employees enrolled in each training program New employees who are starters in the organization undergo induction training before they start performing their activities .The main aim of such training programs are to welcome the these employees in to the organization and to settle the new employees down. It helps the new employees to understand their roles and what is expected of them and to enhance the productivity of employees. The program entails making the new comers understand the goals, mission, health and safety measures together with the values of the company. Workers who are inexperienced and are under the supervision of a worker who is experienced undergo apprenticeship training program It is usually offered to employees who are still in learning institutions and at the same time they are earning. These employees therefore spend some time while learning while another proportion of time is spent on practical lessons. It is meant for employees to gain experience in specific areas so as to meet the needs of a particular industry. For those people who need to update their skills, it avails a good opportunity for them to do so (Carter, and McMahon, 2005: 192). Fresh students in schools and colleges are offered a training program known as shadowing. It requires the actual input of the students but it requires that the students observe how operations go about within an organization. The students usually concentrate on their area of specialization and it is geared towards career awareness. It can also be done on employees who are currently working in various departments such as planning and finance .It thus provides an opportunity for them to gain experience and improve the integration of the workforce so as to increase the output and performance of the employees. The Job Rotation training program is geared towards all employees in an organization in a bid to reduce boredom, increase multitasking and improve on the motivation of employees. At the senior level of management it is linked to the succession plan of the organization while at the low level of employees it is geared towards enhancing their skills. Mentoring is a training program that is usually conducted for management level employees. Members of staff who would wish to gain experience from those who already have experience from the workplace. The senior employees mentor the junior employees by guiding them on what should be done in the organization. All employees in the organization should be coached because this is a training program aimed at developing the skills and knowledge an employee has. It is suitable for all employees as its overall goal is to help the technical staff in improving their managerial skills, it helps to each individual on their career prospects, it helps individuals develop a more strategic approach geared towards a more challenging task and it assists in handling of conflicts. Literature and empirical findings. The aim of mentorship program is to train the less experienced people in an organization. There is a feeling that new employees who have been paired with a mentor are likely to stay in the job than those new workers who do not receive mentorship. In coaching, clients should be on the lookout for professionally trained or accredited persons. The professional coaching skills can be transferred across a variety of areas that require a coach. For a coach, he or she should be able to help clients clarify their mission, purpose and goals, articulate their dreams desires and aspirations and to help them achieve their outcome in any given area in life. Job rotation occurs at two levels. At the senior management level, the aim is to provide learning experience s so as to facilitate changes that involve succession plans. At the lower management level, the aim is to ensure one is promoted or has his or her skills enhanced. Conclusion and summary Organizations should carry out extensive research on the training programs that are useful for their company so as to improve on the performance and output of their organizations. Tesco Company buys and sells a variety of goods to its customers and therefore it is important to continuously train its employees on handling some of its fragile items so that it does not incur losses due to improper handling of the goods. The management should also ensure that it deals with reputable suppliers so that goods supplied are of good quality and also to avoid wastage from happening. Appendices 1. What Does Tesco Supermarket deals with a. Foods & Drinks b. Clothing c. Software d. Electronics e. Financial services f. Insurance services g. Dental services 2. How many employees does it have 440,000 employees, some are full time while others are part time employees. 3. Does the Supermarket have any training programs Specify the different types of training programs Yes, The Company has the Retail apprenticeship program, the National vocational Qualification program {NVQ}, Options and Tesco Week in Store Program (TWIST). 4. How many times does undertake the training in a particular year Depending on the program one has undertaken, the duration ranges from six months to one calendar year. 5. What does the training program hope to achieve It ensures that the employees they have the general knowledge of the business, what they are required to do and ensure that they embrace teamwork in the workplace. 6. What employees are targeted for the training All employees when they are actually employed and for those who want to advance their careers. 7. What is the company's policy on training When an employee is employed for the first time, they have to be inducted into the company's policies. The company also endures to find that employees are developed career wise using seminars and workshops. References. Carter, E.M. A. and McMahon, F. A. (2005). Improving Employee Performance Through Workplace Coaching: A Practical Guide to Performance Management. United States of America: Kogan Page Publishers. Conway, H. and Roenisch, R. (1994) Understanding Architecture: An Introduction To Architecture and Architectural History. United States of America: Routledge. Progressive Grocer (2005) Tesco Enhances End-user Application Training with New Software. London, United Kingdom. Available at: http://74.125.113.132/searchq=cache:Mcnv3dmTbuAJ:www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4259043-1.html+what+are+the+training+programs+used+at+tesco+company&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=keInc.Accessed (Accessed on May 22, 2009). Reid D. E. (2009) Tesco plc London Stock Exchange Tsco Grocery and Drug Retail. .United Kingdom. Available at: http://74.125.113.132/searchq=cache:bakNP0XYpncJ:www.ceres.org/Document.Doc%3Fid%3D388+what+are+the+training+programs+used+at+tesco+company&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ke (Accessed on May 22, 2009). Read More