The Powerful Benefits of Internal Training — 5 Reasons You Need to Do It

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

“The only thing worse than training your employees and have them leave is not training them and having them stay.” — Henry Ford

There is no doubt training is essential. It’s not even a question. The real question you need to ask is, “What type of training should I provide?”

There are lots of different methods of training, such as

• Lecture-style training
• Coaching and mentoring
• Instructor-led training
• Simulation training
• Hands-on training
• Case studies (by that, we mean bookwork)
• Hands-on learning

The list could continue –each method working and varying depending on the work-place. However, training typically breaks down into two traditional training methods –internal training and external training.

And while a full discussion on the pros and cons of internal training vs. external training is a worthy one, today, we will focus on the 5 benefits of internal training.

Benefits of Internal Training

1. Fully Customizable
Internal training allows you to manage how it goes down. You have the authority to mold training as needed for the good of your company and your employees. Customizing it allows you to:

• Focus on the skills you see the need for refining.
• Update the program whenever you need to — whether because of industry changes or a shift in goals.
• Choose your delivery method.
• Make adjustments based on employee feedback.

2. Reflects the Culture of the Company
Your company’s culture sets the tone and creates the environment employees want to be part of, and customers want to patronize. A big part of any organization’s culture is its training methods. Internal training allows you to teach employees according to the standards and actions that reflect the culture you want to flourish.

3. Offers Real-Life Examples
We don’t know about you, but we’re real fans of hands-on learning, and internal training is all about being hands-on. When company management use company resources to teach employees your company methods, they can provide real-life examples, which are:

• Realistic
• Applicable
• Given in terms/jargon, the employee understands.

It is probably one of the strongest points for internal training. It allows for employees to take what they learn and put it into practice right away.

4. Builds Stronger Teams
Training your teams internally typically means one employee is coaching another employee. Not only is this good for the employee doing the coaching (because what better way is there to learn than to teach someone else?), but learning together tends to be a bonding experience.

As employees learn together, they learn to deal with communication (and miscommunication) barriers, conflict, problem-solving opportunities, and even crisis situations. All while doing the job and gaining the experience as they learn. It encourages them to rely on one another — and builds trust.

5. Effective Method of Upskilling
No matter what industry you are in, it’s probably always changing –regulations, requirements, specifications, and essential skills. Did you know the average life span of an essential skill is only five years? Yes, you read that right. Stay on top of the ebb and flow by providing internal training to your employees as you upskill them. Doing this helps:

• Increase talent retention: Employees who know they are invested in, are more likely to stick around for the long haul, especially if that investment is beneficial and helpful to them in their current roles.
• Prepare employees for promotion or internal transfers: As Mr. Ford said, the only thing worse than training an employee and having them leave is not training them and having them stay. If you want to retain talent, provide an opportunity for them to move upward. Train them well, so they’re inspired to stay.
• Build on current skill sets: Offering internal training is giving your employees permission to work in an environment where training is a part of their everyday work experience. Learning becomes like a building block set where employees are continually forming and adding to what they know.
• Keep you on the cutting edge: As mentioned, industries continually experience change. Offering on-the-job training keeps you on the up and up as you provide the compliance changes, information updates, and technology advances with your team.

Ultimately, you must decide what is best for your organization. The good news is that at Waypoint Search Advisors, our hands-on approach, honed evaluation skills, and industry connections provide us with the expertise and tools to find you the people you need. We believe we’re the right people to find your right people.

A Little More Trivia on Henry Ford

1. When he was a teen, Ford made extra cash by repairing pocket watches. He even made his own tools!
2. Henry Ford was a good friend and business colleague of Thomas Edison. They even bought vacation homes near each other.
3. Ford once ran for the United States Senate, and only lost by 4,500 votes.
4. In 1878, he designed and built his first operational steam engine. He was only 15!
5. He founded and created a mass-production car company in America using the first-ever assembly line.