Training And Learning – More Than Just A Difference Of Meaning
What is your approach to people development, learning focused or narrowly training focused? We’ve developed a table to help you decide:
Training Focused |
Learning Focused |
Skills, training, techniques focused with insufficient context or alignment |
Multi dimensional interventions (including training skills/techniques as appropriate) but also (for instance): 360°, Testing and Assessment, Action Learning Sets, 1-2-1 Coaching, Business Based Workshops |
Initiative led, Event Driven, Tactical ROI |
Strategically led, Outcome Driven, Strategic ROI |
Pre/Post course work and event material. Might be connected to a personal development plan |
A Learning Pathway built over time with key review points and milestones. Built from an organisational, as well as individual perspective |
Modular, often based on skills staircases (foundation, intermediate, advanced etc) |
Modular, often based on depth of understanding and being connected to the business issues over time (developing a customer service strategy for instance) including project work |
Organised by (typically) Function, Hierarchy, Subject |
Organised by required business outcome (e.g. capability building, process improvement, higher retention rates, improved customer satisfaction or EOS scores etc. |
20% design, 80% delivery biased |
The distinction between design and delivery becomes blurred as the interventions develop a tailored business feel |
External. Generic language, models, frameworks. |
Internal. Specific language, models, frameworks. |
Stand alone, not contextually driven |
Integrated with and supportive of the organisation’s Purpose Framework (Vision, Values, Goals) |
Much of work is with what we term the hybrid organisation. They have a desire to move to the learning focused model and their general direction of travel supports that, but they still have legacy issues and cultural norms that are still training biased.
Even so, simply being aware of the differences and the tangible benefits resulting from the learning based approach creates better development programmes.
If you would like to talk about how Structured training canhelp you design really effective learning interventions please contact:Claudine McClean
T: 01789 734300
E: claudinem@structuredtraining.com
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