For Training to Be Effective, Assessment Is Needed

It’s no secret that there’s a skills gap issue. In fact, recent studies indicate 80 percent of those in the workforce (both employees and managers) feel the abilities employees are bringing to the table aren’t well suited for the challenges they’ll face. This problem is only expected to grow as emergent technologies continue to make themselves at home in our workplaces. To remain competitive, employers are spending more resources on employee training, creating a multi-billion-dollar industry, with most employers spending large sums of money to equip their workforces with the skills they’ll need to be successful. However, just because money is invested doesn’t mean there will be a return. In many cases, resources spent on training are simply wasted. Studies have shown as little as 10 percent of employee training is effective, leaving many employers to wonder how to effectively close skills gaps. The problem, in most cases, is that training is applied scatter-shot, with no real focus. What’s needed is an assessment to first determine pain points in a data-driven way to help employers better identify their employees' needs.