How to create a learning culture

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) conducted a survey into workplace learning and provided recommendations for how organisations can encourage learning. We have summarised these below.

Article Date : 16/12/2004

1. Promote learning – Your business should emphasise the benefits of training and ongoing learning, including learning on the job, improving efficiency and dealing with change.
2. Lead by example – The culture of learning and training should be promoted by your organisation’s managers, who themselves should receive training and show a positive attitude towards it.
3. Involve others – Co-ordinate a training strategy that involves people that your business interacts with regularly, such as suppliers, clients, other professionals or related associations.
4. Be involved in designing the training – Provide industry specific training, and use training aimed at your employees. Make the training easily accessible to staff.
5. Vary the approach – Combine structured learning such as seminars with informal learning, such as on-the-job training.
6. Build relationships – Establish a close relationship with your training provider so that together you can create innovative learning opportunities.
7. Trial training – Test structured learning to judge its impact.
8. Recognise current skills – Take employees’ existing skills into account when developing a training strategy.
9. Take advantage of employees’ interests – Maximise learning opportunities by targeting areas that people are attracted to, such as the current interest in learning about IT.
10. Consider your business’ needs – Develop training with consideration to your business size, industry, skill requirements and location.