Training and Career Planning and Developmentdes

(Source: Medina, Dr. Roberto G. Human Behavior in Organization. Manila: Rex Book Store. 2011)

Training is the process of changing employee behaviour, attitudes, or opinions through some
type of guided experience. Raining the individual employee occurs not only initially but any time
improved skills are needed to meet changing job requirements.

Ways of conducting training programs

 On-the-job Training. It is conducted while employees perform job-related tasks and considers
the most direct approach to training.
Types:
Internships are opportunities for students to gain real world experience. They are often offered
during summer breaks and may be with or without payment.
Apprenticeships involve learning a trade from an experienced worker. Job rotation provides a
broad range of experience in different kinds of jobs in an organization. It is often used to provide
background for future managers and is sometimes used to try to alleviate worker boredom.
 Off-the-job Training. Training which deals with work skills in settings away from the ordinary
workplace.
Training techniques:
1. Classroom lectures. These consist of lectures designed to communicate specific
interpersonal, technical, or problem-solving skills.
2. Videos and films. Training method which uses various media production to demonstrate
specialized skills that are not easily presented by other training methods.
3. Simulation exercises. Training method occurs by actually performing the work. This may
include case analysis, experiential exercises, role playing or group decision making.
4. Computer-based training. Method that simulates the work environment by programming a
computer to imitate some of the realities of the job.
5. Vestibule training. Itis done on actual equipment used on the job, but conducted away from
the actual work setting which is actually a simulated work station.
6. Programmed instruction. Training method where training materials are condensed into
highly organized, logical sequences. It may include computer tutorials, interactive video
disks, or virtual reality simulations.

Career Planning and Development

Career is a pattern of work-related experiences that span the course of a person’s life.
Career stages refer to the distinct stages that individuals go through in their careers, typically
including establishment, advancement, maintenance, and retirement. The establishment stage
is one of apprenticeship where the young employee enters an organization who may be
technically able but often without an understanding of the organization’s demands and
expectations. As a consequence, they work fairly closely with more experienced people. In the
advancement stage, the employee seeks growth and increased responsibility through the
continued development and utilization of his skills. This stage calls for the employee to work as
an independent contributor of ideas in a chosen area. He is expected to rely much lesson
direction from others. Advancement may e pursued through internal career paths within the
organization or through external career paths that involve taking advantage of opportunities
that require a change of employers. During the maintenance stage, the employee may
experience continued growth of performance and accomplishments, or he may encounter
career stability. Sometimes a further change in employers is necessary to sustain advancement,
but often the employee loses career flexibility. This may be a result of personal considerations:
limited interest in learning new skills, organizational considerations; and family considerations
that make it difficult to change jobs or to take additional work responsibilities.
Career plateau is a situation in which, for either organizational or personal reason, the
probability of moving up the career ladder is low.
Types of career plateau:
-Structural plateau marks the end of promotions and the affected employee, will now have to
leave the organization to find new opportunities and challenges.
- Content plateau occurs when a person has learned a job too well and is bored with day-to-day
activities.
- Life plateau occurs when an employee experiences a loss of identity and self-esteem when
there is no longer success in his work area.
The retirement stage is that stage when formal preparation for retirement is made. The
individual learns to accept a reduced role and less responsibility. Depending on the individual,
this can be either a very positive or a highly upsetting stage of one’s career.