Before deciding on if your business needs a training matrix, it’s good to actually understand what a training matrix is in the first place.
What is a training matrix?
Basically, a training matrix is a record of the skills, qualifications, accreditations and competencies of your staff gained through training. This matrix usually contains dates when training was completed, any renewal or expiry dates and the training that is essential to carry out a particular role. Some organisations may still have a paper log but most will compile the information on a spreadsheet or some form of software so that the data can be easily accessed and reported on.
What are the benefits of a training matrix?
Using a training matrix can bring a number of benefits to a company. In certain organisations a training matrix is vital to ensure compliance with mandatory training and accreditation requirements, for example where there are stringent health and safety obligations to meet. By employing a matrix is this instance, you can instantly see where there may be compliance gaps and address them to prevent any issues. Gaps in a training matrix in other organisations will highlight skills shortages and a potential need to recruit or provide additional training in certain key skills. The opposite may also apply and a training matrix might tell you that your organisation is over saturated with people who have particular skills and that you need to diversify your skills base. Either way having this information can then be used to identify colleagues who may be able to work on a specific project or who have the necessary skills to cover absent colleagues or when there is a spike in demand. An up to date training matrix also helps an organisation with its succession planning and to review and determine its future training needs so that skills can be constantly developed and adequately budgeted for.
What are the pitfalls of not having a training matrix?
Trying to manage the skills development or your staff without some form of central record can create problems. It becomes much easier to miss key dates when training and accreditations expire without a matrix. The knock-on impact of this can lead to compliance headaches, potential fines or even prosecutions, staff being unable to work because their certificates are no longer valid and increased costs as refresher training is often shorter and cheaper than having to complete a full course if a certificate has expired. Furthermore, if a company doesn’t have a training matrix it is likely that its approach to training won’t be co-ordinated and won’t actually ensure that staff have the skills they need. Training could therefore be non-existent and if staff can’t see development potential in their role, then retention problems are likely to follow. A business may well spend money on training but without a matrix how do they know that this money is being spent wisely to develop staff in line with what the business needs now or in the future to help it to grow and thrive?
In the employment relationship training is a commitment from employer to employee that they are valued and that their personal and professional growth is important. A training matrix will underpin that commitment and ensure that training is well planned and relevant so that at the end of the day both the employer and employee will benefit from its impact.
Do you have questions about training?
Give us a call at CUBE HR on 01282 678321, we’ll be happy to advise you and we have policies and templates available to meet every HR need.
Why not check out our blog on a similar topic Training Has Moved On.
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