1. Human Resource Management
Training & Development
Handout 1 1

2. Learning Outcomes By the end of this session you will be able to:
Understand the strategic considerations surrounding training
Understand different learning theories and styles
Understand the variety of learning and teaching methods and their application
Consider the factors required for a training programme
Design a simple training programme
Source appropriate academic models to prepare your assignment. 2

3. The importance of training
The European countries with the best general and vocational education systems will increasingly possess a competitive advantage as Western European economic integration progresses. Well-trained labour forces are productive (hence off-setting the higher wages that trained workers normally command), cohesive, motivated and (most importantly) capable of accommodating change and introducing technologies…..It follows that long-term neglect of industrial training in any European nation is sure to put its businesses at a disadvantage when faced with intense competition from rival countries.
( Graham and Bennett 1995 ) 6

4. Activity
Why might organisations be
reluctant to train their workers?

5. Training to meet a need
Many sceptics see training as an expensive, unnecessary luxury, rather than an integral part of achieving organisational effectiveness.
Training can be viewed as a cost rather than an investment.
Greater emphasis has been placed on developing training programmes which match the strategic objectives of the organisation. 7

6. Definition of Learning
Honey & Mumford (1986) cited in Foot & Hook (1999)
Learning has occurred when someone:
knows something they did not know earlier, and can show it
is able to do something which they were not able to do before 9

7. Learning Theories
Cognitive Theories - belief that learning occurs in the mind
Behaviourist Theories – focus on observable behaviour
see Pavlov (1927) – stimulus/response
Skinner (1953) – use of reinforcement
Experiential Learning
see Kolb et al. (1974)

8. Kolb – Experiential Learning Cycle

9. Think of situations in which you feel you learnt something.
Activity
Think of situations in which you feel you learnt something.
What was your motivation to learn?
Was there a stimulus to increase your drive to learn?
Was there any reinforcement of your learning?
Foot & Hook p.172 11

10. Learning Styles
Honey & Mumford (1986) have developed a questionnaire which identifies:
Activists
Reflectors
Theorists
Pragmatists 12

11. Learning and Teaching methods used in Organisations
Lecture
Role Play
Group Discussion
Video
Project
Case Study
Computer based training
Guided reading
In tray exercise
Problem Based Learning 13

12. Activity
Which of the learning and teaching methods would suit each of the learning styles? 14

13. Considerations for developing training programmes
Factors to take into account:
Rationale – What are you trying to achieve?
Number of participants – You may have to structure your course differently depending on how many you have to ‘teach/train’
Time available – What can you do in the time available in order to meet your objectives?
Cost – Non productive staff, trainers costs, facilities costs etc.
Location & Resources – Where?, cost of venue, cost of travelling, appropriateness of ‘learning environment’, consideration of additional resources, such as I.T.

14. Rationale for training
This provides the strategic overview explaining why you are intending to ‘intervene’ in the way proposed.
It will illustrate the need for the course and
will often include a justification on the grounds of ‘cost’ and or ‘investment’
will explain what the course will include with reasons for the choice of content
will explain the ‘learning & teaching’ methods, i.e. how it is going to be taught and how this is an effective way for the participants to learn
Will explain how it is going to be assessed and how this is a reliable method of assessment to ensure learning has taken place.

15. N.B - Your assignment
Note that it is in the ‘Rationale’ section of your next assignment that we will expect to see reference to learning theories, and evaluation models
Remember this provides 40% of the grade for this assignment and must establish your critical argument for your proposals.
See assessment criteria!

16. Designing the programme
Learning Outcomes – i.e. what your participants will be able to do as a result of the course.
Content – What is the topic? What are the most important parts? How will you structure the session(s) to ‘cover’ the necessary content? What’s the ‘best way’ for people to learn this? Will they learn by listening to an expert?; doing it themselves? (i.e. having an experience); reading about it?; observing someone else do it? etc
Assessment – How do you know whether anyone learned anything and gained from this event?

17. Activity Riding a bike
Aim: You are to design a training course to teach children to ride a bicycle safely.
State:
your learning outcomes
the resources you require
the time needed
the cost
the content of the course and the learning and teaching methods
your assessment methods – explain your reasons
how you would evaluate your effectiveness