Key findings about Workplace Training

The 2019 Industry Survey: Training in the Workplace conducted by iHR Australia in 2019 saw over 200 responses from a diverse range of participants. In this week’s article we highlight some of the key findings from the survey results. A full version of the report “The hidden workplace training crisis and seven effective actions to overcome it” can be accessed via the link.

Why the need for workplace training has spiked?

89% of respondents believe that the need for workplace training is increasing and the main reasons for this are culture (65%), talent magnetism (51%) and organisations goals/budgets (48%). Interestingly, respondents listed mental health in the lower half of the reasons, although this still represented about a third of respondents (32%)

Importance of HR training

82% of respondents to the survey believe that HR compliance training is important or critical for their respective organisations.

Importance of Leadership and Management Training

Further to this, a significant 93% of respondents noted Leadership and management training as critical or very important to their organisations. The top key benefit from this category was enhanced workplace culture, at 79%. This was followed by employee job satisfaction and increased workforce retention as the next highest benefits.

Average number of training sessions attended

The data from the survey identified the average number of staff training sessions attended in 2018 was between one and two, representing 52% of respondents.

Improved training effectiveness

The top three methods for improving workplace training effectiveness were: stronger follow up, more practical & interactive training and better metrics.

Reasons for adopting online learning

Respondents identified efficiency (64%), on demand nature (61%), standardisation (57%) and lower cost (55%) as the key factors influencing the adoption of online learning as part of their workplace training.

Following this, the key benefits assessed were similar to the reasons for adopting, with flexible delivery (76%), standardisation and reduced costs also ranking highly.

Potential impacts of not delivering HR compliance training

When asked about the failure to deliver HR compliance training, participants identified inappropriate workplace behaviour, impact on performance and risk of litigation as the top three potential impacts.

Most effective delivery methods

When asked about which single delivery modality respondents’ thought was the most effective for HR compliance training, respondents believed that Face-to-Face with 49% and online training with 38% were the most effective. However, the training type actually implemented by organisations was, on the job training (21%) which in comparison to its perceived effectiveness which was only at 4% of respondents who believed it to be the best method.