The importance of training in enhancing hard skills and optimising organisational performance is undeniable. To achieve these objectives, fostering a culture of professional learning is essential. This culture can be sustainably integrated through competency tracking tools, which help structure and monitor employee development.
But what exactly is on-the-job training, and how can it be effectively implemented? Why should employees be encouraged to take an active role in their skills development? And how can organisations support them in optimising their hard skills? Find the answers in this article.
What Is On-the-Job Training?
On-the-job training is a key driver in helping employees enhance their skills. It is especially crucial in today’s fast-changing work environment, where artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and new technologies are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace.
To keep up with these changes, employees must continuously update their skill sets. This is where corporate training becomes essential—it allows employees to acquire future-proof skills while also refining their existing expertise.
Why Is Close Monitoring Essential?
For effective on-the-job training, close follow-up and personalised support are necessary. However, offering customised guidance tailored to each employee’s needs is a significant challenge.
This is precisely where online training platforms come in. These fully digital, adaptable tools enable companies to create custom learning pathways aligned with team objectives. Competency tracking platforms ensure that employees’ hard skills evolve in line with business needs, offering a structured and measurable approach to skill development.
Hard Skills Development for Optimal Performance
Hard skills are the technical abilities an employee possesses—specific, measurable, and crucial for job performance. These skills, such as project management, data analysis, and coding, directly impact business efficiency and competitiveness. However, to keep these skills sharp, continuous training is essential.
How Does Digitalisation Support Hard Skills Development?
Digital training platforms are an effective way to evaluate and develop hard skills. They offer:
✔ Accessible training for all employees, regardless of their level
✔ Data visualisation tools for clear tracking of progress
✔ Real-time monitoring to adjust skill development strategies
The Role of Mentorship and Coaching
Beyond digital training, mentorship and coaching are powerful tools for hard skills development. Through structured mentorship, employees benefit from knowledge-sharing, personalised support, and expert guidance.
Competency tracking tools further streamline collaboration between employees and their mentors or trainers, ensuring clear goal-setting and follow-up.
The Benefits of On-the-Job Training
1. Boosting Organisational Performance
On-the-job training maintains business competitiveness, enhances overall performance, and ultimately increases customer satisfaction. Employees who continuously develop their skills contribute to a more agile and innovative organisation.
2. Strengthening Employee Engagement and Motivation
By offering training opportunities, businesses:
✔ Empower employees to take charge of their own skill development
✔ Provide greater visibility into career progression and opportunities
✔ Recognise and validate expertise, demonstrating commitment to employee growth
When employees feel valued and supported, they are more engaged and motivated, leading to higher retention rates and stronger overall performance.
3. Encouraging Employee-Driven Skill Development
Giving employees ownership of their skill tracking helps them:
✔ Set their own learning objectives
✔ Monitor their own progress
✔ Provide feedback on training programmes
According to McKinsey, companies that foster open dialogue on employee performance report a 30% increase in job satisfaction. When employees become active participants in their own professional growth, their motivation and commitment significantly increase.
4. Streamlining Competency Management
Competency tracking tools simplify training processes by eliminating time-consuming administrative tasks, such as:
✔ Manual tracking of employee progress
✔ Cumbersome spreadsheets for performance feedback
By automating these processes, organisations can focus on high-value tasks, ensuring employees receive the best possible support in their development journey.
Conclusion: Investing in Hard Skills for a Stronger Workforce
Hard skills are the foundation of employee performance and business success. With on-the-job training, companies can equip their workforce with the technical expertise needed to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
By integrating digital training platforms, mentorship, and competency tracking tools, organisations create a structured and scalable approach to skill development. This not only enhances individual career growth but also strengthens business performance as a whole.
The future belongs to adaptable, skilled, and motivated teams—so why wait to invest in your workforce’s hard skills?