Learning and Development is a key aspect in HRM. There are
many ways that employees can be developed and trained. Some of these methods
include on the job training, on the job development, off the job training,
Induction programs, Internal as well as external workshops.
When going through the below diagram
of Armstrong, (2009) that explains elements of learning and development.
Figure i: Elements of learning and development (Armstrong, 2009).
Definition to Learning and development
“Learning and development is the process of acquiring and
developing knowledge, skills, capabilities, behaviors and attitudes through
learning or developmental experiences. It is concerned with ensuring that the
organization has the knowledgeable, skilled, engaged and committed workforce it
need “ (Armstrong, 2009).
According to Harrison, (2009)
Learning and development
is the process to support collective progress through the collaborative, expert
and ethical stimulation and facilitation of learning and knowledge that support
business goals, develop individual potential, and respect and build on
diversity.
Distinguish between Learning, training, development, and education
Armstrong, (2014) explain about the main components of
learning and development, and following table 1 mention the main differences
between Learning, training, development, and education.
Learning
|
Development
|
Training
|
Education
|
A process of obtains
and develops knowledge, skills, capabilities, behaviors, and attitudes of
individual
|
Growth or realization
of a person’s ability and potential through the provision of learning and educational
experiences
|
Systematic
application of formal processes to impart knowledge and help people to
acquire the skills necessary for them to perform their jobs satisfactorily
|
Development of the
knowledge, values and understanding required in all aspects of life rather
than the knowledge and skills relating to particular areas of activity
|
Formal and informal, long term future oriented, learner initiated
|
Long term in nature
|
Experience with Short term forces
|
Long term process
|
Continues Change
|
Broader concept focused on personality development
|
Narrow perspective Focus on knowledge, skill, ability and job
performance
|
learning new skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will equip an
individual to assume a new job or to do a different task
|
Focus on values, attitudes, innovation, and out comes
|
Conceptual and theoretical knowledge
|
Specific job-related purpose
|
systematic instruction / general concepts
|
obtaining knowledge or skill
|
Consider general knowledge
|
It helps individual to learn how to perform his present job
satisfactory
|
Theoretical oriented
|
Permanent changes in a person that is related to past experiences and
the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge
|
It prepares individual for future job and growth in all aspect
|
Job experience, Learning new things and Refreshing old one
|
Class room learning
|
Directly linked with organizations mission and requirement for
success
|
Implementing the learned session and finding new ones
|
Not necessarily linked to organizational mission and strategic
|
Board perspective
|
When going through below image
can simply identify the differences between Learning, training, development, and education.
Figure ii: What’s the different
between Training, Education, Development, and Learning (Wheeler, 2013)
Concept of the ‘Learning Organization’
A learning organization is the term given to an
organization which facilitates the learning of its employees so that the
organization can continuously transforms itself. Learning organization
develops as a result of the pressures which are being faced by the
organizations these days for enabling them to remain competitive in the present-day
business environment. The learning organization concept was coined
through the work and research of Peter Senge and his colleagues. The
learning organization encourages to a more interconnected way of thinking. Such
organization becomes more like a community for which employees feel a
commitment to. Employees work harder for the organization since they are
committed to it.
Definitions of Learning organization
Senge, (1990)
describe learning organization as the organization “in which you
cannot not learn because learning is so insinuated into the fabric of
life.”
According
to him the learning organizations are “Organizations where people continually
expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and
expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set
free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together”.
Characteristics
of Learning Organization
The
five main characteristics that Peter (Senge, 1990) had identified are said to
be converging to innovate a learning organization. These are,
- Systems thinking
- Personal mastery
- Mental models
- Building shared vision
- Team learning
Figure iii: A learning organization and its characteristics (Sarna, 2014)
References
Armstrong, M., (2009).
Armstrong’s Handbook Of human resource Management practice 11th edition.
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., (2014). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Harrison, R., (2009). Learning and Development. In:
i. 5, ed. Learning and Development. London: Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development, 2009.
LinkedIn Learning, (2014). Principles of Learning. [Online]
Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/radzmelsaji/principles-of-learning
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LinkedIn Learning, (2014). Principles of Learning. [Online]
Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/radzmelsaji/principles-of-learning
[Accessed 20 8 2018].
Sarna, S. K., (2014). learning organization &
its Characteristics. [Online]
Available at: http://ispatguru.com/a-learning-organization-and-its-characteristics/
[Accessed 20 8 2018].
Sanicola, L., (2016). The Importance of Talent Development as a Total Rewards Lever. [Online]
Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-importance-of-talent-development-as-a-total-rewards
[Accessed 20 8 2018].
Available at: http://ispatguru.com/a-learning-organization-and-its-characteristics/
[Accessed 20 8 2018].
Sanicola, L., (2016). The Importance of Talent Development as a Total Rewards Lever. [Online]
Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-importance-of-talent-development-as-a-total-rewards
[Accessed 20 8 2018].
Senge, P.M., (1990). The art
and practice of the learning organization.
Wheeler, K., (2013). Future
of Talent Retreat. [Online]
Available at: https://futureoftalent.org/whats-difference-training-education-development-learning/
[Accessed 23 8 2018].
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