During difficult times when organisations are going through a rough patch and are thinking of reducing their expenditure, the item they easily strike off their budget is human resources development.
HR Talk with Paul Nyausaru
They regard it as an exercise that is there to draw money out of the organisation without realising the benefits that is realised form the skills acquired.
The question that comes up is whether human resources development is worth the huge investment channelled toward the exercise. Let us consider some of the benefits that come up with investing in human resources development.
Training and development provides stability for employees for it makes them have the desire to want to stay with the organisation longer. When an organisation has a defined human resources development programme, employees are satisfied that the organisation is investing in them and finds value in what they (employees) have to offer.
That sense of feeling that they are respected by the organisation will motivate employees to cultivate a spirit of loyalty to the organisation.
Most organisations do not realise how costly staff turnover is. A recent survey indicates that 40% of employees who receive poor job training leave their positions within the first year. When asked about their reason for leaving, they cite lack of skills human resources development as their primary reason for moving.
Consideration has to be made on the cost of turnover.
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For instance, losing just one employee will negatively affect service delivery and production. Finding a replacement will require time spent on screening and interviewing applicants for the post.
Once recruitment has been done the newly-recruited employee has to undergo training. Above all, moral among employees suffer.
Human resources development provides employees with the much-needed tools and information vital to perform their job successfully.
If an employee is armed with the required goals, taught how to obtain those goals and given the tools to see the process through, it makes them enjoy their job.
It has been observed that employees that are thrown into a job without formal human resources development usually find themselves lost, lack purpose and are frustrated due to their inability to complete their tasks.
Human resources development is a recruiting tool. Gone are the days when people look just at the pay cheque when they are looking for employment.
Today’s young generation looks beyond money as they are geared toward seeking employment that gives them an opportunity to learn new skills.
There is a likelihood of an organisation being able to attract and retain high quality employees if it offers human resources development opportunities.
A good example of such organisations are universities which have clearly defined staff development programmes that cater for both academic and nonacademic staff.
Human resources development also acts as a retention tool, which instils loyalty and commitment from good employees.
Employees are kept looking for the next challenge are likely to stay longer if they are offered opportunities to learn and grow while they are with your organisation.
Ultimately, paying attention to employee skills makes business sense. It may take time to see a return on your investment, but the long-term benefits associated with employee human resources development make a difference.
The short-term expense of a training and development programme ensures you keep qualified and productive employees who will help your organisation succeed. That is an investment you can surely take to the bank.
Paul Nyausaru is Training & Development Practitioner. You can contact him on email [email protected], [email protected] . Views contained in this article are personal.
