Evaluating Business and Industry Training

Evaluating Business and Industry Training
Author: Leslie Steven May
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9401174237

In the abstract, training is seen as valuable by most people in business and industry. However, in the rush of providing training programs "on time" and "within budget," evaluation of training is frequently left behind as a "nice to have" addition, if practical. In addition, the training function itself is left with the dilemma of proving its worth to management without a substantive history of evaluation. This book is designed to provide managers, educators, and trainers alike the opportunity to explore the issues and benefits of evaluating business and industry training. The purpose is to motivate more effective decisions for training investments based on information about the value of training in attaining business goals. Without evaluation, the value of specific training efforts cannot be adequately measured, the value of training investments overall cannot be fully assessed, and the contributions of the training function to the corporation's goals cannot be duly recognized. Articles are grouped into three sections, althou~h many themes appear across sections. The first section estabhshes the context of training evaluation in a business organization. The second section emphasizes evaluation of training products and services; and the third section discusses costs and benefits of evaluation, and communication and use of evaluation results in decision making. In Section I, the context of training evaluation is established from a variety of perspectives. First, training and trainin~ evaluation are discussed in the context of corporate strateglc goals.

From Job Security to Skills Security

From Job Security to Skills Security
Author: Tina Kotin-Savitch
Publisher:
Total Pages: 186
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

The following mixed methods case study design evaluated the effectiveness of a California Employment Training Panel-funded incumbent worker training program at a community college in Southern California. The specialized program was created in response to specific local business needs and provides training services for workers in local businesses. This study measured the effectiveness of a specific Employment Training Panel 2011/2012 contract program term at Creek Side Community College to the extent possible with the available documents, personal interviews, and survey of trainees. Four specific training interventions were evaluated to inform the college leadership and provide recommendations to improve future program evaluations. Materials developed in this study can be used as a resource for other incumbent worker training programs in that the evaluation method and instruments can be adapted to other settings. Within the limited available data this study provides indicators of whether the college's program achieved the learning objectives and of the program's overall effectiveness. Finally, it provides a review of the literature pertaining to federal and state workforce programs and community college economic development efforts. Research provides evidence that trainees are using what they learned in training on the job. The training appeared successful in allowing trainees to gain the skills needed to improve productivity at their worksites. Most respondents felt positively about the quality of instruction, felt the learning objectives were met and trainees emerged more positive feelings about their employees. This study provides recommendations for the California Employment Training Panel program, and practitioners, such as community colleges and participating businesses.