We asked trainers, consultants and educators to tell us about current training trends. Here are their responses.
Commitment
The greatest challenge is getting the commitment for training time. HR managers are frustrated with their own people cancelling at the last minute or skipping booked sessions because of "important" work.
-Barbara Benoliel, president, Preferred Solutions Inc.
Updating material
Our instructors, who all have day-to-day practical business experience, must provide continual updates to training materials. We can no longer rely on printed materials which are so often out of date before the books leave the publishers.
-Debbie White, program co-ordinator, professional development programs, school of business, Carleton University
Personal coaching
One of the biggest trends is personal coaching, particularly as a means of follow-up from training. We asked customers what the number-one thing missing from most training is and they overwhelmingly responded "follow-up."
-Brent Finnamore, president of Peak Adventures International Inc.
Computer training
There is a transition to a knowledge-based economy; there is, therefore, an increased demand for training in technical skills — particularly computer-related skills.
-Basu Sharma, professor of industrial relations and human resources
Three trends
The three most consistent trends are: globablization, new technologies and demographic change.
-Michael Nolan, president, Friesen, Kaye and Associates
Self-accountability
There has been an increase in self-awareness and self-accountability.
-Ian McKay, People Interactions Inc.
Partnerships
The trend that will emerge will be partnership-based training programs that harness the unique capabilities of smaller businesses, educators and governments.
-Frank Johnston, vice-president, The Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Envionment Industry (CCHREI)
Faster, more specific
There seems to be more just-in-time training — as in manufacturing — so there are smaller groups, less lead time and more specific training that suits the needs of that select group.
The other trend I see is that what was commonplace 10 years ago is now new to the 20- to 30-year-old participants. There is a request for topics I haven't done for a few years, such as basic assertiveness skills, meeting skills and presentation skills.
-Reva Nelson, president, Wordsworth Keynotes & Seminars
One of the latest trends is the customization of training for internal, real-time delivery by company leaders or high-potential staff.
-Debra Horsfield, senior consultant, Aon Consulting
One of the most significant trends is a combination of just-in-time and learning-centred training.
-Alec Lee, school of business, Camosun College (Victoria)
Positive transfer of training
A key trend is the concept of the positive transfer of training — ensuring that what you learn actually gets implemented on the job.
-Maureen Nummelin
The greatest challenge is getting the commitment for training time. HR managers are frustrated with their own people cancelling at the last minute or skipping booked sessions because of "important" work.
-Barbara Benoliel, president, Preferred Solutions Inc.
Updating material
Our instructors, who all have day-to-day practical business experience, must provide continual updates to training materials. We can no longer rely on printed materials which are so often out of date before the books leave the publishers.
-Debbie White, program co-ordinator, professional development programs, school of business, Carleton University
Personal coaching
One of the biggest trends is personal coaching, particularly as a means of follow-up from training. We asked customers what the number-one thing missing from most training is and they overwhelmingly responded "follow-up."
-Brent Finnamore, president of Peak Adventures International Inc.
Computer training
There is a transition to a knowledge-based economy; there is, therefore, an increased demand for training in technical skills — particularly computer-related skills.
-Basu Sharma, professor of industrial relations and human resources
Three trends
The three most consistent trends are: globablization, new technologies and demographic change.
-Michael Nolan, president, Friesen, Kaye and Associates
Self-accountability
There has been an increase in self-awareness and self-accountability.
-Ian McKay, People Interactions Inc.
Partnerships
The trend that will emerge will be partnership-based training programs that harness the unique capabilities of smaller businesses, educators and governments.
-Frank Johnston, vice-president, The Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Envionment Industry (CCHREI)
Faster, more specific
There seems to be more just-in-time training — as in manufacturing — so there are smaller groups, less lead time and more specific training that suits the needs of that select group.
The other trend I see is that what was commonplace 10 years ago is now new to the 20- to 30-year-old participants. There is a request for topics I haven't done for a few years, such as basic assertiveness skills, meeting skills and presentation skills.
-Reva Nelson, president, Wordsworth Keynotes & Seminars
One of the latest trends is the customization of training for internal, real-time delivery by company leaders or high-potential staff.
-Debra Horsfield, senior consultant, Aon Consulting
One of the most significant trends is a combination of just-in-time and learning-centred training.
-Alec Lee, school of business, Camosun College (Victoria)
Positive transfer of training
A key trend is the concept of the positive transfer of training — ensuring that what you learn actually gets implemented on the job.
-Maureen Nummelin
