What is the Purpose of training

Jerome Peloquin, Managing Editor-US , Microfinance Focus

Training is the topic of choice for this month’s issue: March, 2009. Microfinance Focus Magazine is dedicated to providing a knowledge as a strategic asset to our readers and to all MFI’s and NGO’s who serve the poor. We are totally dedicated to Dr. Yunus’s mission of ending poverty. If we are to succeed where others have failed then we must be better than those who have gone before us. We must do more and we must do it with less. This means we must have first class Training. Today, In this magazine we begin the task of moving that agenda forward.

Training is not an end in itself. Although doing well in the training program is a good thing. It is possible that people do very well in training but still cannot do the job once in the field? It is not only possible. It happens all the time. Why? Well for one reason the training is not constructively valid, that is there is not a one-to-one match between the objectives of our training and the tasks of the job.

The goal of training is not to pass a written test. It is not to prove knowledge of arcane and seldom used formulas. It is to lean one’s job as fast and comprehensively as possible. We measure the success of training not by how well the trainees perform in the classroom but how well they perform on the job. Training has only one purpose: Performance! The Training department’s principle purpose is to produce competent performers. Another means for evaluating your training is to apply the Kirkpatrick evaluation model as shown here:

1. Did the trainees like the training?

2. Did they learn from it?

3. Did they apply what they learned on the job?

4. Did job performance measurably improve?

From a business profit perspective only number 4, improved job performance is relevant.

If you would another measure of how your training department rates in the performance department, try this. Ask three of the best supervisors (Branch Managers?) this question. “How long is it from the time a new trainee arrives at your branch before they are as good as the average performer. In this month’s cover story “……..” we address the cost factors associated with training, we also show how critical training can be and how expensive it is to train staff and management.

Today, when all resources are being reduced it is more important than ever to assure efficient and effective training. Training is an investment in Human Capital it expands Capacity and creates profit. Microfinance Focus Magazine is dedicated to helping you reach those goals.

Unquestionable the avowed purpose of Training is measurably improved job performance and enhanced human capacity. That is the purpose of Training.