The story goes something like this:

Members of a leadership team are talking to each other about the issue of training within the company. The senior member of the team asks a poignant question. “What if we spend all of this time and money on our employees to train them, and then they leave?” It’s a good question. It’s one that’s often asked and takes into consideration the challenges of a workforce. But the response the senior leader receives is hard-hitting and impactful. “What if we don’t spend time and money to train them, and they stay?”

The challenge is clear. An untrained workforce is a liability.

It can misrepresent your company, your vision, and your core values. An untrained workforce can be the difference between success and failure.

So what does this mean for employees; for people who are either currently gainfully employed or are considering a move to a new company?

If a company is going to spend money to train its people, it means a few things.

Companies who train their people are committing to their people.

Companies who invest in training understand what it costs to train them. They know that training their employees is an investment. And just like a skilled carpenter knows the importance of the tools for the job, so good managers know the necessity of equipping their people with what can make them successful. Training is an investment in you…the employee. And no one who makes an investment wants to see it go to waste.

Companies who train their people are partnering with their people.

Read between the lines and you see that companies want their people to stay, and they’re willing to invest resources into them if they get the sense that they will stay. This means that these companies know that they couldn’t do the work that they do without the successful work of those who work with and for them.

Companies that train their people are interested in seeing their employees do well.

They’re equipping them to do the work that’s put in front of them. The partnership between employee and manager that’s established through training demonstrates how each part of machine has its part to play. The company that trains you is showing you that they want to succeed in their role so that you can succeed in yours.

As an Added Bonus:

If you ask about training in your interview, you’ll probably impress the manager or HR rep on the other side of the desk. It shows you’re interested in engaging; in doing good work; in succeeding.

Training is an Indicator of a Healthy Workplace

“What if we don’t spend time and money to train them, and they stay?” Imagine the implications of having a workforce that wasn’t trained. And conversely, imagine the benefits of working for a company who knows that its people deserve to be equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Training shows you a lot about a company and its leadership. If you find a company that invests in its people, you should look seriously at that company. It says a lot about what they value, what they expect, and how they view their people.

 If you're ready for a job at a company that will do everything it can to help you become a success, check out opportunities at Viking Client Services.