Philosophical Approach to Training Design

PHILOSPHY AND TRAINING DESIGN

By

VIKRAM KARVE



I’ve been in Training Design for years in multifarious situations and requirements and I feel that the first step in designing a training programme is to mull over and decide as to which Training Philosophy, the Confucian or the Zen, is aptly relevant in the particular situation.

In the Confucian Training Philosophy the Aim of Training is to Qualify the Trainee for a more important job.

In other words, Training is inextricably linked with Career Advancement, and since Training is for promotion, successful completion of the training programme creates expectations in the mind of the trainee, and if the training is not followed by promotion or career advancement quickly enough, non-realization of expectations may create frustration and resentment in the trainee.

In the Zen Training Philosophy the Purpose of Training is Continuous Improvement in Performance.

The aim is to improve present performance by focusing on excellence in work and self-development, strengthening the inner urge and enhancing requisite skills for work-excellence and job-satisfaction without the trainee expecting any tangible material or career advancement returns.

The Training Designer, Training Implementors and Trainees must be clear about the Training Philosophy and Purpose and Aim of the Training Programme prior to the conduct of the course in order to obviate ambiguity and to reap optimal Return on Investment [ROI] from the training.

And of course, if you don’t believe in formal training programmes, there is always the good old time tested training philosophy which is breathtaking in its simplicity: “Entrust a man with responsibility and then tell him to get on with the job!”

It always works. You can take my word for it.



VIKRAM KARVE


http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve


http://www.ryze.com/go/karve


http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/


vikramkarve@sify.com