Page 117 - Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies

8: Recruitment, selection and training of workers

Methods of training
There are three main methods of training:

■ induction
■ on-the-job
■ off -the-job.

KEY TERMS Induction training

It is not enough for a business to recruit the right staff. Even the best qualifi ed
Induction training: a training

worker will need some form of training when they start a new job. This training is
programme to help new recruits
become familiar with their known as induction training.
workplace, the people they work Induction training introduces the new worker to:
with and the procedures they
■ their work colleagues
need to follow.
On-the-job training: training ■ the organisation structure and their role and responsibilities within the structure
at the place of work. Watching or ■ the health and safety procedures in the workplace
following an experienced worker.
■ the facilities available to workers, for example canteen facilities.

The main benefit of induction training for the worker is that they quickly feel

part of the business. This brings a benefit to the business because workers who are

settled are more likely to perform their tasks more effectively from the start of their
employment.

The main limitation of induction training is that it increases business costs and
during the period of induction training workers are not adding to output but are
receiving their wage or salary. 115
ACTIVITY 8.4

Working in pairs, imagine you have been given the responsibility for helping a new pupil to settle in quickly at your school.
Write an induction programme for this new pupil. Include all of the things they will need to know, the people they will need
to meet, the rules they must learn and the facilities they are able to use.

Some new workers will need to receive training so that they are able to do their

job efficiently. Also, to keep their workforce operating at its most effi cient level,
businesses may need to provide workers with further training to update their skills,
or learn how to use new technology. This training could be provided on-the-job, or

off -the-job.
On-the-job training
On-the-job training involves the worker learning the skills they need to complete

tasks in the workplace. They will often sit with an experienced worker and watch
how they perform the task. They will then complete the task under the guidance of

the experienced worker.

The main advantages of on-the-job training are:
On-the-job training
■ It is relatively cheap.
■ Workers learn the way that the business wants the job done.
■ Workers are producing output while training.