Training your people

Maybe your people are doing just fine as they are right now. So why would you need to think about training them in new skills? Because it’s good for business! 

Let’s look at some reasons you might want to consider training or upskilling: 

• Show staff you value them – keep them happy, keep them loyal. 
• Show them what to aim for – people appreciate clear expectations and goals. 
• Offer them opportunities to progress in their career – everyone wants to feel they are making progress. 
• Help them to adapt – as your business changes, people need new skills to work with new technology or processes. 
• Close any learning gaps – work out what people need to learn and help them fill the gap. 
• Stay competitive – face up to new challenges with a workforce that’s ready for them.

Try out this policy builder tool to build policies on learning and skills in your workplace. 

Workplace Policy Builder — business.govt.nz

Employment NZ’s website has lots of advice on training and development. 

Training and development at work — Employment New Zealand

Training doesn’t have to cost money. It doesn’t have to be about “book learning”. And it doesn’t have to take time away from existing tasks. People often learn best from colleagues and hands-on learning, rather than doing courses or exams.

You’ll have workers with all sorts of skills, and most people are keen to share their knowledge. So uncover the gold in your people. Find out what they can contribute to training team mates before you look at external sources.

Think about the people in your business. Note down who has:

• knowledge of the business
• technical skills with equipment, machinery, repairs or IT
• relevant experience in your industry
• good communication skills
• coaching or mentoring skills.

Try our self-assessment tool to help you get the best out of your people.

Assess the skills in your business — business.govt.nz

Maybe you’re not sure whether to start, or you need a hand getting a plan together. Think about the sort of workplace you’d like to have. What steps could you take to make it happen? Offer your people opportunities and make them feel valued. 

Use these prompts to get you thinking: 

• Do you have opportunities for coaching or mentoring?
• What options are there for online learning? 
• Encourage people to share stories. 
• Spread the word that it’s OK to make mistakes. 
• Agree that we solve problems together.
• How might you build a sense of team and connection? 

Business.govt.nz has more ideas for upskilling your people. And there’s a case study so you can see one practical way to pass skills on. 

Training and development options for your team — business.govt.nz

You can get help from outside agencies too.

For government help with training, look at these organisations: 

Search for providers — Te Pūkenga

Search for qualifications — New Zealand Qualifications Authority 

Options for study and training — Careers NZ  

Information on vocational education — Tertiary Education Commission

Government help with training — business.govt.nz