Commerce · Ch 12 — Employee Training Method
Training and Development
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Training and Development
"Training" and "development" are often used loosely as if they mean the same thing, but the syllabus draws a clear line between them, mainly on the basis of time horizon and purpose.
| Basis | Training | Development |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A short-term process aimed at improving the specific knowledge/skill needed for the employee's present job | A long-term, broader process aimed at overall growth of the employee, preparing them for future, often higher, responsibilities |
| Orientation | Job-oriented — focused on a defined, current task or role | Career-oriented — focused on the employee's overall personality, judgement and managerial capability |
| Who it is usually meant for | Mainly operative-level and technical employees | Mainly managerial and executive-level employees, though not exclusively |
| Content | Narrow and specific — a particular machine, procedure or software | Broad and conceptual — decision-making, leadership, human relations |
| Initiative | Often initiated and required by the organisation to meet an immediate performance need | Often a mix of organisational sponsorship and the individual's own initiative to grow their career |
| Time span | Short-term, completed in a defined period | Continuous and long-term, spread over an employee's career |