Evaluating training is very important for understanding how well a particular training course measures up, which in turn helps you to select the most suitable and beneficial training program for your company. Identifying the extent to which training objectives were met can help you to identify future requirements.
The costs involved in training are huge, but most employers are prepared to bear these costs as they expect the training to benefit their employees and thus contribute to the development and progress of the company.
There are many reasons to evaluate training:
- It establishes whether the investment in training was justified and worthwhile.
- It helps to track the progress in the staff’s skills and knowledge.
- It helps to identify if the training is being applied properly in the workplace or not.
- It ensures that there is continuous improvement in training.
- It identifies any gaps in the current training and establishes future training needs.
The main problem faced by many organizations is not why but how to evaluate training. Typically, while evaluating, you need to look at the accuracy, reliability and validity in evaluations and design an evaluation process that is relevant and practical. Training needs to be evaluated before, during and after the implementation of training activities.
Before implementation
- Set down your training objectives, which should include financial goals.
- Decide on the tools you will use to measure the objectives.
- Ensure that the training methods actually result in employees’ learning and improve their knowledge and skills. Find out whether similar methods in the past have produced good results?
- Apply these methods to employees with exceptional skills and get their feedback on the effectiveness of the methods.
- Make sure the employees that are being given the training understand all the aspects of the training.
During implementation
- Regularly check the employees’ progress to see whether they are following what is being taught.
- Conduct short tests at regular time intervals to check their progress.
- Examine the enthusiasm levels by asking the employees to rate the training on a scale of 1 to 5.
After completion
- Give employees a test before and after the training and compare the results to determine their progress.
- Interview them before and after training to check any differences in the behavioral patterns.
- Have informal talks with your employees to get a detailed feedback on the entire training program.
- Hire an external evaluator to assess the employee knowledge and skills after the training.
Kirkpatrick training evaluation
The Kirkpatrick model of evaluating training looks at four levels:
- Reaction
- Get feedback from trainees about how they feel about the training they have been given.
- Ask a combination of open-ended and closed questions to give you a set of both qualitative and quantitative results.
- Learning
- Measure the skills, attitudes and knowledge of the employees before and after the training.
- Observe employee skills in the workplace or prepare tests to assess their knowledge about facts and principles.
- You can also base the measurements on the outcomes that the training sought to achieve.
- Behavior
- Find out if there has been any change in how a job is done after training.
- This is to check if the employees have learned and implemented what they have taught in the training in the workplace.
- Assessments carried out before and after training will give you a better idea on this.
- Results
- Results needs to be documented and shared with all the people involved in the process.
- Give sufficient time for the effects of the training to show before you start measuring the outcomes.
- Repeat this exercise at regular time intervals to see if the benefits are sustained or not.
To conclude, you can choose from a variety of methods such as self-evaluation, group learning, work-based assignments, e-learning and external course to conduct trainings. You can use in-house specialists, hire outside consultants or even buy some commercial software to design a training evaluation program exclusively for your business.
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