Improving productivity of hospitality employees through Learning & Development

 Defining Learning & Development

Learning and development is a systematic process to enhance an employee’s skills, knowledge, and competency, resulting in better performance in a work setting. Specifically, learning is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Development is the broadening and deepening of knowledge in line with one’s development goals.

          The goal of learning and development is to develop or change the behavior of individuals or groups for the better, sharing knowledge and insights that enable them to do their work better, or cultivate attitudes that help them perform better (Lievens, 2011).

          As the hospitality industry keeps growing, even faster than the global economy, it has an opportunity to play a key role in creating high-quality employment opportunities (WEF, 2017). However, there is also a cloud of concern about HRM issues in the industry (Solnetet al., 2015), for example, the changes caused by automation as employees need to be able to work with technology and focus on the skills technology struggles with the most (Stoffers, 2016; WEF, 2017). The skill deficiency in the hospitality industry affects its performance, and the high turnover in staff creates a distinctive context (Lashley and Rowson, 2010; Liet al., 2013). Davidson et al. (2010). The literature highlights a positive relation between workplace learning and benefits for the organization.

What are the benefits of Learning & Development

• Improved employee performance - The employee who receives the necessary training is more able to perform in their job. The training will give the employee a greater understanding of their responsibilities within their role, and in turn build their confidence. 

• Improved employee - satisfaction and morale - The training creates a supportive workplace. Employees who feel appreciated and challenged through training opportunities may feel more satisfaction toward their jobs.

• Addressing weaknesses - Most employees will have some weaknesses in their workplace skills. A training program allows you to strengthen those skills that each employee needs to improve. This helps reduce any weak links within the company who rely heavily on others to complete basic work tasks.

• Consistency - A robust training and development program ensures that employees have a consistent experience and background knowledge.

• Increased productivity and adherence to quality standards - Productivity usually increases when a company implements training courses. Increased efficiency in processes will ensure project success which in turn will improve the company turnover and potential market share.

• Increased innovation in new strategies and products - Ongoing training and upskilling of the workforce can encourage creativity. New ideas can be formed as a direct result of training and development.

• Reduced employee turnover - staff are more likely to feel valued if they are invested in and therefore, less likely to change employers.

• Enhances company reputation and profile - Having a strong and successful training strategy helps to develop your employer brand and make your company a prime consideration for graduates and mid-career changes.

• Blended learning - is becoming more and more popular and as a company we have seen a definite increase in this method of training over the last year. Blended Learning is the effective combination of online learning and classroom learning.

The learning and development function of an organization has a strategic role in five areas

 
Ways Learning & Development helps in increasing employee productivity

• Employees get new skills - A new sense of purpose is given to the employees when they acquire new skills through training. Employees need to acquire new skills to cope up with the change in technology and other new introductions.

• Employees get more confident - Learning and acquiring new skills boost the confidence of the employees. When an employee knows what to do and how to do, it makes him more aware and he feels prepared for the upcoming tasks which makes him confident.

• New employees get stimulated - Providing training to the new employees give them a sense of business and career growth and advancement. Training is the best way to make the employees do their best.

• Helps in reviving old skills - employees are well aware of the tasks and activities which they are supposed to perform which helps them in learning the new ways and skills in a better way.

• Helps in increasing employee satisfaction - When the employees better understand the work that they need to do in the organization, it leads to job satisfaction.

• Helps in reducing employee turnover costs - If the employees are not well satisfied or they are not enjoying the work that they are doing, the chances of turnovers increase.

Learning & Development impacts on employee attrition

          The skills deficiency in the hospitality industry affects its performance, and the high turnover in staff creates a distinctive context t (Lashley and Rowson, 2010; Liet al., 2013). Davidson et al. (2010) also noted in their research that high staff turnover creates increasing pressure on training requirements to maintain service levels in the hospitality industry. Learning and Development (L&D) creates a supportive workplace for employees. Providing the necessary training creates an overall knowledgeable staff with employees who can take over for one another as needed, work on teams or work independently without constant help and supervision from others. Employees get satisfies when they are given career growth and advancement opportunities. In a nutshell, when an organization has a strategic L&D process for employees, it leads job satisfaction and decrease the turnover. Eventually it directly impacts on employee attrition level in the organization.
 

References
AIHR Digital. (2020) What is learning and development. Learning And Development: A Comprehensive Guide [Online]. Available at https://www.digitalhrtech.com/learning-and-development/ . Accessed on 22^nd May 2021.

Brassey, J. & Christensen, L. & Van Dam, N. (2019) The essential components of a successful L&D strategy. McKinsey & Company [Online]. Available at https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/the-essential-components-of-a-successful-l-and-d-strategy . Accessed on 22^nd May 2021.

Gross, J. (2018) How can training help in increasing employee productivity?. Your Training Edge [Online]. Available at https://www.yourtrainingedge.com/how-can-training-help-in-increasing-employee-productivity . Accessed on 21^st May 2021.

Imajica Brand Evolution. (2020) The importance of training and development in the workplace. Project Management [Online]. Available at https://2020projectmanagement.com/resources/project-management-training-and-qualifications/the-importance-of-training-and-development-in-the-workplac. Accessed on 22^nd May 2021.