How to train workers on a small budget

Here are a few pointers to help get you started

The provision of regular training for employees reinforces the vital role that they play, boosts confidence and encourages positivity and productivity in the workplace. Implementing a training programme can seem daunting, especially on a small business budget.

However, with careful planning, you can create value for each staff member and benefit the business as a whole.

Here are a few pointers to help get you started.

Training specifics

Begin with an overview of the business’ entire input versus output. What indicators do you use day-to-day to assess the success of your business? By evaluating these key metrics, you can determine where you are thriving and where attention is required, thereby identifying any knowledge gaps required in achieving your business goals. This should form the basis of all training strategies.

High-potential employees

Identifying talent from the early stages of on-boarding onwards is crucial and a great way of encouraging drive and ambition in those who are keen to up-skill. Finding people that are right for the job on paper and can then reinforce their suitability with great communication, soft skills and a collaborative attitude feels like a huge win. These are the team members who can assist with in house training. A casual conversation relating to personal achievements can prove to be bonding and you never know what may be unearthed in such conversations, perhaps inspiring a future training workshop.

In-house skill sharing

Your staff are your most valuable assets. Engaging and valuing the talent already in the business will boost morale and improve team bonding. Essentially, you are tapping into an existing resource wherein the firm’s work ethic and culture is already understood, whilst saving on travel and workshop trainer expenses. Refer back to your training plan and cross-reference with your high potential employees and see what sparks. A gentle way to introduce this may be to suggest a rotating staff-led team building exercise to be included at the beginning of certain routine meetings.

Performance management

Routine appraisals play an integral role in staff development and wellbeing. Providing an opportunity for open discussion from both sides regarding progression allows feedback and fosters understanding. This enables you to better support and nurture any emerging skills which may benefit the business as well as the growth of the individual team member.

Online training tools

This is a great way of encouraging self-directed learning, a practice many organisations are now encouraging employees to make time for. One of the added perks in this regard is that with the right guidance, the individual develops a sense of ownership and empowerment. Spending some time finding a relevant, good quality online training facility might be the best thing you ever do to assist staff keen to become experts in their field.

External training

Look for trainers offering reductions at their workshops; it may be that they need to fill space and are happy to offer a concession. Try contacting local organisations who may have similar training needs and are perhaps open to collaborating. Additionally, talk to your external stakeholders, or trustees and see whether they are able to add value to your business with staff development.

Recruiters love this COMPLETE set of Accredited Recruitment & HR Training – View Training Brochure

Comment on this story

The British Institute of Recruiters is the Professional Body operating The Recruitment Certification Scheme

Send this to a friend