Types of Employee Training

Employee training can take many forms depending on the needs of the organization and its workforce. Technical training focuses on specific product or task-based skills, helping employees develop and practice essential technical competencies. Soft skill training emphasizes abilities such as emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, creativity, and teamwork.

Compliance training ensures employees understand and follow legally mandated actions, including areas like cybersecurity and sexual harassment. Safety training aims to reduce workplace injuries by improving health and safety practices. Management development trains managers in essential skills like accountability, collaboration, and communication, while leadership development focuses on enhancing leadership capabilities through mentoring, coaching, and self-study.

Executive development targets senior leaders, equipping them with the skills necessary for organizational success, and helps non-executive employees develop the skills needed for leadership roles. Customer service training provides employees with the skills to deliver exceptional service, while customer education training teaches customers how to effectively use products and services.

Workforce training helps upskill workers for career success and is often offered by government or nonprofit organizations. Corporate training supports internal employees by helping them develop the skills needed for their current roles or career advancement. Onboarding programs orient new employees, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Finally, sales enablement focuses on improving the productivity of market-facing teams by providing ongoing training, resources, and support for sales development.

Training and Development Methods

There are several methods used to deliver employee training, each designed to meet different learning needs. Instructor-led training (ILT) can be in-person, where learners physically meet the instructor for classroom-style sessions, or virtual (VILT), which occurs online through platforms like Zoom or Webex, allowing instructors and learners to be geographically dispersed.

E-learning can be asynchronous, where employees access pre-recorded content, videos, and simulations at their own pace, or synchronous, where real-time, live-online training takes place. Microlearning focuses on delivering short, digestible pieces of content, such as how-to videos, self-paced e-learning modules, games, and blogs.

Simulation-based training involves hands-on, scenario-based exercises that mimic real-world situations. On-the-job training allows employees to learn while working, integrating real tasks into the learning process. Coaching offers one-on-one, personalized guidance aimed at skill and performance improvement, with activities like listening, asking powerful questions, and strengthening conversations.

Mentoring is a long-term, relationship-based development process where experienced mentors act as role models to provide guidance. Finally, blended learning combines multiple training methods, often mixing in-person and e-learning to offer a comprehensive learning experience.