Getting the most from training

Getting the Most from Training

by Deborah Knight

January 20, 2023

Training is the most common tool used by businesses to develop their staff. It ensures that everyone is taught the same thing, which fosters a common understanding and language on issues. However, training can feel irrelevant, boring, or something that takes time which could be spent on other things.

Participating in training can provide numerous advantages. Training can help you advance your career by providing you with new skills and information. It can also help enhance your career, improve your communication and leadership abilities, and give you more control over your work.

While training won’t provide you with customised development, it will ensure you learn the topics your employer considers important. And when you choose training for yourself, it will help you gain additional skills to help you progress in your career, with a hobby or in other parts of your life.

getting the most from training

To ensure you get the most from any training your attend, I have drafted some pointers to help you:

1. Examine the materials and the list of abilities you’ll have at the end of the course before attending the training. Determine what specific learnings you hope to achieve from the course. What do you want to gain from your attendance?  Answering this question will help you focus your attention while in the training to ensure you learn what you wanted from the course.

2. Sit in the front of the room for the course duration; this will force you to pay closer attention while also attracting more attention from the trainer.

3. Participate fully and enthusiastically; the more you participate, the more you will receive from the course.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will benefit not just from the trainer’s skills but also from your classmates. It’s free advice that you can choose to follow or ignore (just because you’re told something doesn’t mean you have to do it).  Fresh ideas and hearing the opinions and experience of others are good, as they give you something to think about and possibly a new approach to try.

5. If the training is funded by your workplace, go into it with the plan to share the key points with your teammates. This will widen the benefits of the training, and also help your peers also learn. To do this as well as possible – make a summary of the essential themes of the course, and present them at your next team meeting. If you prepare for this ahead of time (so you know you’re going to do it), you’ll participate differently in the course. You will also appear much more professional to your team (and boss!) when you return with a concise summary to share.

6. Thank your manager for the opportunity to attend the training. Outside the summary for your teammates, be prepared to give a 2-3 sentence summary verbally to your boss.  By showing them you valued the opportunity, and paid attention, you are likely to be selected again for future opportunities.

Companies, as represented by your manager, seek evidence that paying for the course has provided a benefit to you, and through you to the wider team and organisation. Following point 5 and 6 will ensure you show this to them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ask yourself at the beginning, will this training be beneficial? 

It is likely that throughout your career you will participate in a large number of training courses. Whether funded by your employer or by yourself the above tips will help you maximise your investment. We at Xseed Lead offer courses at our training site, which we invite you to visit. More courses will be added in coming months which will help you move forward.

Author Bio

Deborah Knight
Deborah Knight is the founder of Xsead Lead with a background in organisational and individual leadership and executive coaching.

As a coach, Deborah aims to create an inclusive and respectful space where individuals and organisations can do the work necessary for growth and change. She is also passionate about helping women be valued for themselves while also contributing and being successful.

Apart from her company which she is deeply passionate about, Deborah also loves bushwalking, reading, travelling, and learning new things.

For any coaching or organisational support enquiries Deborah can be contacted via email: info@xseedlead.com.au or via her company website which is www.xseedlead.com.au

About the Author

Deborah Knight

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