Employee training and development are sometimes used synonymously.  What’s the difference between the two?  

In this podcast, industry expert, Ann Holm discusses what they are. Employee Training focuses on the tactical, these are functions found in the company manual, procedures, the “how too” of things.  

Employee training can happen on levels of individuals or groups.  Employee training can only advance people as far as you show them the “how to”.  Most employee training doesn’t continue until a “new how to”. Employee Development goes much deeper.  Here is where you help them recognize their strengths and blind spots.  Helping them interact with other employees, or enhancing communication skills with different personalities.

  Implementation is ongoing and never fully developed.  Employee development increases self-awareness, and typically leads to other levels of awareness.  A simple example could be a very talkative individual. 

 If another employee needs to communicate to them about something very important, they may avoid speaking to them out of concern of how much time the talkative party will take.  Toxic environments are due to lack of employee development. If you address the people development, this could lead to better training on the “how to”.