Page 118 - Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies Section 2 People in business

However there are also disadvantages of this method
including:
■ Workers might pick up any of the experienced worker’s
bad habits.
■ Workers might not learn the most up-to-date
methods.
■ Workers make more mistakes when learning and this
increases waste.
■ It slows down the production of the experienced
worker.
Off -the-job training
Off -the-job training takes place away from the

workplace. This might be at the company’s own training

Off -the-job training facility, or attending courses offered by specialist
training companies, or at local colleges and universities. It is most often used where

the job requires a high level of technical skill, or specific management skills need to

be developed.
KEY TERM The main advantages of off-the-job training include:

Off -the-job training: training
■ Workers learn the latest methods and techniques.
that takes place away from the
■ It does not disrupt the production of other workers.
workplace, for example at college,
university or specialist training The disadvantages include:

116 provider’s premises.
■ It can be expensive, especially when the training is provided by a private training
provider.
■ The worker does not produce any output during training.

ACTIVITY 8.5

Ravinder is the owner of a shop that sells photocopiers, fax machines and other items of office equipment. He also off ers his
customers a repair and maintenance service.
Ravinder has interviewed for a new post of trainee repair and maintenance technician. He has decided to off er the
job to Surjit. Surjit has very little experience of repairing or maintaining office equipment, but Ravinder thinks he will be a

quick learner. However, Ravinder is not sure how best to train Surjit. He asks himself: ‘Should I use on-the-job or off -the-job
training?’

Write a brief report to Ravinder that identifies the advantages and disadvantages to Ravinder and his business of each
method of training. You should conclude your report by recommending which method Ravinder should use and why.

TEST YOURSELF
1 What is induction training?
2 Explain the main difference between on-the-job and off -the-job training.

Reasons for reducing the size of the
workforce

There are several reasons why a worker’s employment with a business may be

ended, or terminated. These are shown in Figure 8.6.