As of January 1st, 2019, an update in French regulations for professional training offers businesses the opportunity to implement a skill training program that encourages employees to earn accredited training in accordance to their needs. The process requires discussion, compromise and individual support. Véronique Girod-Roux, Head of Development and Governance for Certificates and APEL at Grenoble Ecole de Management, shares with us advice for choosing the right employee training program.
Developing an employee’s skills is a process that can last throughout a career. “It depends on whether or not the employee wants to participate in training. The first step is establishing a portfolio of skills. It goes hand-in-hand with a résumé. Any employee who wishes to progress in a career needs both his and her résumé and skill portfolio to evolve overtime. Skill training is a factor that can be improved either based on the employee’s personal desire or thanks to encouragement from the company,” explains Véronique.
Choosing the right direction
While a plethora of training programs exist for businesses, it’s essential to choose a program that matches both the employee and employer’s needs. “Officially recognized programs like RNCP-labeled programs in France enable participate to earn certified validation of precise skills,” adds Véronique.
To find the right program, employees and businesses have several tools at their disposal. “Human resources and training managers have an essential role to play in supporting and guiding employees. Every year, two years or more, individual employee interviews and evaluations are an excellent opportunity to analyze existing skills and identify potential areas for improvement. Employees can also move forward on their own either by searching for information in official databases or requesting the help of outside counselors,” explains Véronique.
Criteria for choosing a specific program
After identifying a skill set to improve, companies and their employees must decide on a training program that will accomplish the expected goal. “The first criteria is choosing a program that specifically and efficiently targets the desired skill set. Next you have to choose a training organization, a process that is usually a compromise between the company’s desires and the employee’s preference. Business schools often appear high on the list of possibilities because they are well-recognized. Quality and recognition are two key aspects to evaluate when choosing a program. Finally, you must also consider class time and online course content. The location of the training program and e-learning options will greatly influence how easy it will be to integrate training and work schedules,” concludes Véronique.
