Despite the vast negative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, in more ways than one, it led to surprising and unexpected experiences, some constructive. For example, it pushed for more learning and training in the workplace. It’s evident that employees need to be up-to-date with changes and abilities in order to remain relevant in their respective fields. And one of the best ways to enhance knowledge and skills, experts believe, is through training. Every employee has their own strength and weakness in the workplace. However, when an organisation offers various training programmes, it allows employees to strengthen their skills in other areas. Providing training and development to employees allows employers to pinpoint the knowledge and skills they want their employees to have. It involves programmes that enable them to learn precise skills or gain knowledge to improve job performance. Prince Aime Murara, the deputy secretary-general, Education for Nations and Humanitarian Africa (ENHA)-Girubuntu, says when organisations offer relevant training, it helps employees improve their performance in general. Providing training and development to your workers, he says, is an opportunity for employees to gain new skills which in the end enhance productivity. Mazen Halawi, a Kigali-based business owner, says that when employers invest in their workers through extra skills and knowledge, it helps them broaden their skill gap. This, he notes, is essential for the growth of an organisation and an individual. Halawi says from his own experience as a business person when you offer extra skills and knowledge that align with your scope of work to employees, there will be little to no supervision in the workplace, which saves time and resources. The entrepreneur adds that this is also one way of retaining employees, in case of any changes in the organisation. “With the unpredictable working environment, when an employer offers new and relevant skills that are helpful to the organisation, this means that in the future, employees can be retained if there is a need to hire someone outside the organisation,” he says. Diana Nawatti, an educator, says extra skills and knowledge make workers feel valued. “When an employee is given the opportunity to learn new skills pertaining to what they do, it improves levels of engagement, satisfaction, and motivation, which improve work productivity with time,” she says. Investing in professional development, Nawatti says, also motivates individuals to continue grabbing other opportunities out there, in case of any. She notes that regular development initiatives can help keep employees motivated, and frequent training programmes will also establish regular re-evaluation of employees, skills, and processes. Halawi says providing the necessary training helps create an overall knowledgeable staff with employees who can take over for one another, or work independently without constant help and supervision from others. “Training is important because it represents a good opportunity for employees to grow their knowledge base and improve their job skills to become more effective in the workplace,” he says. According to Nawatti, employee training programmes help improve the knowledge and skills of employees to match the various changes in the working place. “Implementing training programmes in the workplace will help employees feel like they are being invested in, which is important when it comes to self-motivation,” she says. This, she notes, will help employees become better at what they do and at the same time, broaden their workplace capabilities.
