An Introduction to Training & Development

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In Human Resources Management in Public Service: Paradoxes, Processes, and Problems, Berman et al. (2013) have dedicated an entire chapter to discuss the topic of Training, Learning, and Development for they understand the importance and necessity of these activities for both the organization and its employees to be able to achieve their mission, vision, and goals.  As the workplace becomes more complex, competitive, diverse, and technology driven, research suggests that the continual training and development (T&D) of employees in different work-related areas is essential for the successful operation of an organization (Chesser et al., 2001).  However, in order for us to understand the issues concerning T&D, we must first ask these questions: what is T&D and how are these concepts defined in our modern world?  

According to the Encyclopedia of Career Development, T&D are considered to be activities that produce and enhance an individual's knowledge, skills, or abilities (KSAs) to better understand a certain subject or perform a particular task (Callanan & Greenhaus, 2007).  When these two concepts are applied to the workplace, Berman et al. (2013) note separate definitions for each: training is understood as a method that increases and refines a person's KSAs necessary for completing his current job and development is viewed as a continuous process of improving old and acquiring new KSAs that prepare one to confront a new situation or perform an new activity in the future.  In Benefits of Training and Development for Individuals and Teams, Organizations, and Society, Anguinis and Kraiger (2009, p. 452) further define training as "the systematic approach" for improving an employee's KSA's in order to increase both the organization and employee's overall effectiveness while development is considered to be a "systematic effort" designed to promote an individual's acquirement of new KSA's for personal and professional growth.

Given this introduction, we can continue to explore other elements of T&D to gain a better understanding of their importance within the public sector.  In the meantime, be sure to check out Anguinis and Krager's article which provides an extensive literature review on the benefits of T&D at all levels of work:  http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~ajv2/courses/12a_psyc630001/Aguinis%20&%20Kraiger%20(2009)%20ARP.pdf 

References

Anguinis, H., & Kraiger, K.  (2009).  Benefits of Training and Development for Individuals and Teams, Organizations, and Society.  The Annual Review of Psychology.  Retrieved April 12, 2013, from
http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~ajv2/courses/12a_psyc630001/Aguinis%20&%20Kraiger%20(2009)%20ARP.pdf.

Berman, E., Bowman, J., West, J., & Van Wart, M.  (2013).  Human Resources Management in Public Service: Paradoxes, Processes, and Problems.  Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc. 4th Ed.

Chesser, J., Shah, A., Sterrett, C., & Wilmore, J.  (2001, March 22).  Meeting the Need for Employee Development in the 21st Century.  SAM Advanced Management Journal.  Retrieved April 12, 2013, from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Meeting+the+Need+for+Employee+Development+in+the+21st+Century.-a079630224.

Callanan, G., & Greenhaus, J.  (2007, Septmeber 15).  Training and Development.  Encyclopedia of Career Development.  Retrieved April 12, 2013, from
http://knowledge.sagepub.com.ezproxy.fiu.edu/view/careerdevelopment/
n283.xml?rskey=jUC6wM&row=2.