Understanding your employees goes beyond just their job particulars and includes knowledge of their perspectives, skills, and learning needs.
Identifying Gaps in Your Employees’ Skills
An analysis of the particular skill set of each employee enables employers to identify any gaps in their workforce. Employers can use various methods to identify where their employees are currently lacking in skills, such as employee reviews and surveys, job analysis, job shadowing, and interviewing peers. Once the gaps are identified, the employer can then create specific training and development plans to improve the quality of their employees’ job performance.
Learning Styles and Preferences
The individual learning preferences of each employee will determine how they undertake tasks. Different employees will have different styles of learning and will require different levels of instruction. It is important for employers to understand what learning styles their employees prefer and how they can best accommodate these styles. Some common learning styles include visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Employers should take time to understand and recognize these styles and preferences, and offer training sessions and opportunities that cater to each individual's style so that employee engagement can be maximized.
Training Needs Assessment
Once employers are aware of the gaps in their employees’ skills and their preferences for learning, they must then determine which type of training is needed and what learning methodology should be implemented. Employers should conduct an assessment to understand the competency level of their staff in various areas and create an effective training program that meets the desired learning outcomes. This assessment should include individuals’ current abilities and also consider their career goals and long-term plans.