Training and development of staff is key.
CRS General Manager, Mariska Seereeram shares why companies must support staff with continuous skills development and training because even technical staff with relevant skills need to retrain for this changing world of work.
Technical Training
CRS specializes in recruiting job specific roles in Information Technology, Energy and Technical positions. Candidates in technical positions undergo significant training due to their job being very role centered in nature such as Business Analysts, business, sales and technology roles but not much is done to develop their soft skills.
Delegate responsibility in projects
Providing an opportunity for hands on experience is the best way to learn on the job. This can be done via “shadowing” whereby the potential managerial candidate spends a few hours a day with a well-informed person in their field. Invaluable insight will be gained from the day-to-day experience. Also, a potential managerial candidate must be able to delegate or assign responsibility to a person to carry out a specific task. Delegation is one of the most important time management strategies for a manager. So, to delegate effectively as a manager, you need to a have a comprehensive to-do-list of all your tasks. Next, you will assign responsibility of a particular task based on the team, their area of expertise and willingness to do the task. Allowing a potential managerial candidate to team lead a project will provide the hands-on experience she/he needs.
Identify the gaps in management and training
It is important to conduct performance reviews with your employees and review the job description so that you can communicate their strengths and weaknesses and offer training where needed.
For soft skills training, it can include:
- Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)
- Business Writing Skills
- Time Management Training
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving Skills
- Presentation Skills and Public Speaking
- Conflict Resolution
Pairing staff with mentors in the organization
This concept is well known across large organisations and there is no reason why small businesses cannot adopt the same concept. Ensure you are in continuous conversations with your employees so you can understand their goals and see how it fits the needs of your organization. You may notice a particular strength in them or a skill gap that you wish to improve. Pairing them with a leader or manager in the organization is a key learning opportunity for them to hone their skills. Not to mention a networking opportunity, often across functions. This is key to the success and sustainability of your business as employees are able to learn across functions and meet leaders in the business.
Mentorship is a relationship between the mentor and mentee. This process works when both parties want it be successful and are committed. A mentor will aid in your personal and professional growth and help guide you through your career journey. Mentors are connectors which leads to opportunities.
Benefits of Mentorship
- Having access to a senior role model in your chosen field
- Help you identify the current gaps and strengths in skills and knowledge and correct them
- Personal and professional development for the mentee in terms of self-esteem and confidence
- Help you to develop Communication and Interpersonal skills
- Gaining insight and a border perspective on career options and opportunities
- Networking
Adaptability is the key to success for any potential managerial candidate. Thus, the right balance of technical and soft skills training will position managers for tomorrow’s demands.
CRS can assist businesses in the soft skills and professional development training of their staff. Book a session with Mariska at mariska@crsrecruitment.co.tt to chat about your needs.
Author: Johanna Thomas
