Developing Skills Needed to do the Job
When assessing an employee's fit for a specific position, your first
step should be to define exactly what skills are needed.
- What is the list of duties or work to be performed?
- What skills, knowledge and abilities are required to perform each
duty or task?
- What cost is associated with training an individual to perform these
tasks?
- How long will it take for an individual to learn to perform these
tasks?
These are questions that must be answered in performing a simple job
analysis, a tool that is required to set the minimum requirements for
training and education needed to perform the work.
Other considerations would include areas of responsibility and authority,
types of decisions to be made, amount of supervision required, the diversity
of functions, physical requirements, special skills needed, amount of
team interaction, stress levels and other activities specific to the
job. Job specifications are derived from the job analysis. The job description
follows, which forms the basis for recruitment, selection, promotion,
training and planned career paths.
The next decision you'll need to make is whether to train internally
or to hire the necessary skills needed from the labor market. Companies
are finding that it is not only a social responsibility but also an
economic necessity to provide training to their employees. It is estimated
that one in five American businesses is unable to expand because their
employees lack the basic workforce skills necessary to do so. As we
begin the next century, basic workforce literacy is still an issue.
In Missouri, many state resources are available to assist companies
with training programs. One of the most successful is the Missouri Customized
Training Program, which assists employers with funding and training
for both new and existing employees. Training for almost any aspect
of a job can be created or "customized" to a specific company
or technology. It can be on-the-job or classroom training, and reimbursement
can be provided for instruction, facilities, supplies, equipment and
even 50 percent of eligible wages while training. The Missouri Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Vocational and Adult
Education and the Missouri Department of Economic Development Division
of Workforce Development administer this program jointly.
Many Missouri companies are familiar with the "Customized Training"
program and are effectively utilizing this valuable resource. However,
many are not. Any business requiring training for its employees or potential
employees can set up programs for training workers in areas where the
necessary job skills may not be readily available. For more information
on this program, call Workforce Development at 1-800-877-8698 or visit
the website of the Missouri Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
at www.dese.mo.gov/divvoced/customized_training_index.htm
The University of Missouri Extension programs provide Business and
Industry Specialists throughout the state to assist in economic development
and employee training. Workforce preparedness and development is a primary
focus of the business and industry program.
The Business and Industry Specialists work hand-in-hand with professionals
from the Small Business Development Centers, which are located at many
universities throughout the state. If your company could use assistance
in developing training programs, these resources
are readily available.
Send this article to a friend
Authored by: Willis Mushrush, Business and Industry
Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Source: Creating Quality Newsletter, Volume
11, Number 9, September 2002
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