Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Best practice learning – it’s more than just training

By Des Penny *

Creating a learning organisation and being able to deliver the education and training required to ensure that individuals and organisations move forward is a major challenge. Many organisations today are conducting accredited and non accredited programs that may be well known in the marketplace but are not necessarily delivering required outcomes.

Best Practice Learning is about identifying and implementing programs and practices that are part of an overall plan that have been designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders. Not training for the sake of training!

Questions to ask before implementing education and training programs:

• Does the learning match the needs of the individuals and the organisation?
• Do learning outcomes demonstrate an improvement in both skills and behaviour?
• Does the training organisation you are using have a proven track record?
• Are your learning initiatives a part of a bigger picture and in line with your strategic plan?
• Does the facilitator know the subject and also know how to communicate it?
• Does the learning lead participants to a place where they feel a sense of achievement and want to learn more?
• Is the learning fun?

Learning providers have a responsibility to meet your needs and provide you with excellence in customer service while helping you to grow both personally and professionally. So if you truly want to provide best practice learning in your workplace then make sure your programs complement each other, are facilitated by people who understand ‘best practice’ and you are getting the return on your investment that you expect.

Best Practice Learning is learning that makes a difference.

* Des Penny is CEO at The Proteus Leadership Centre. For further information phone (03) 9848 4200, email info@proteuscentre.com or visit www.proteuscentre.com

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