Designing your organisation’s training programs

 Nov 07, 2016

What is a training program?

A training program provides:

The basis for a cohesive and integrated learning process by outlining the processes of learning and assessment.

Training programs are used by facilitators to guide training and provide the basis for creating a cohesive and integrated learning process for the learner.

A training program addresses:

  • The benchmark to be met
  • The learning objectives and content, the sequence and structure of learning
  • The learning activities and resources used
  • The delivery and assessment methods and assessment requirements

Getting Started

The best training programs are not designed in a back room somewhere. They are developed with up-to-date knowledge of the organisation’s goals and priorities, as well as knowledge about the needs, skills, and circumstances that the training will address.

Before you start designing your training program, you need to consider how the program will fit into your organisation’s overall plan, how it can grow with the company, what role it will play in the organisation, and what support it may receive.

Fitting Into the Plan and Future Growth

A training program and its supporting curriculum should be used as planning tools that help employees to meet and even exceed defined performance standards. As a planning tool, the program must remain flexible to meet the needs of the organization as it changes over time.

The Program’s Role

Typically, courses offered as a part of a defined program are required or recommended for certain roles or functions within the organisation. More recently, many companies also offer courses that are not directly related to a specific function, but that support the overall needs of the organisation.

For example, courses might be supported if they will help employees lead a healthier lifestyle (exercise, fitness, or achieving balance) or improve employee satisfaction through development courses related to image (what to wear to impress, business lunching).

Support From Within

Traditionally, training has taken the form of workshops or classroom learning inside the workplace. However, career counseling and tuition reimbursement plans (where you choose the course you would like, make your case to your employer, and they reimburse you upon successful completion of the course) may also be supported.

Make sure you choose the method of training that is right for your program. If the training you plan to offer is needed only by specific employees and the program is offered by an external training provider, it may be best to consider engaging them rather than developing the program yourself.

For information regarding New Horizons' Business Skills training courses, take a look at our Professional Development Portfolio.

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About the Author:

Stan Thomas  

Stan has been working in a professional training capacity for over 15 years and possesses a wealth of knowledge in the areas of adult education gained through both formal study and practical training delivery both nationally and internationally. As the Professional Development Manager for New Horizons Melbourne, Stan is responsible for the delivery, quality control and enhancement of existing and new programs at New Horizons.

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