Learning and Development (L&D) practices
are clearly visible across the organization. And almost all of them are having separate
division or sub unit with L&D experts. However, L&D is cross-functional
process. Here it is discussed about importance of having proper L&D processes
in organization.
1. Huge demand from employee end..
Now a days, from employees
end there is huge vacuum for learning opportunities, especially young employees
(millennials) believe that “Learning and Development” is so important for them.
(gallup.com 2016) and from the organization perspective, we know hiring Is more
expensive than employee retention. Hence to attract and retain employees, and to
improve employee engagement L&D is a really helpful tool.
Good to read .. (use below links)
2. Cost benefits …
In Sri Lanka, FMCG
business is highly competitive and managing profit margins is challenging. And most
of them are following one or integrated versions of manufacturing systems to
improve their overall productivity. Main objective is to increase the profit
margins by minimizing wastes. Lean Manufacturing, TPM (Total Productive
Maintenance), Toyota Production
System (TPS), Six Sigma, Integrated Work Systems and 5/6S are common ones and every
system generally focusses on eliminating “skill based losses” (different types
of wastes originated from skill gap/s). The solution is L&D. Then it is clear,
L&D practices give cost benefits to the organization.
Figure 01: 8 wastes in Lean Manufacturing (goleansixsigma.com 2019)
3. Legal compliances…
Not only that L&D
practices link with legal compliances as well. To make aware on regulation
changes or new regulations and to fulfil mandatory skill & qualification
levels (licences & certifications), L&D is a vital process.
4. High customer satisfaction…
Employee skill and
engagement are critical requirements in product and service quality. L&D practices are involved with skills and
knowledge improvement on quality management systems. And to fulfil mandatory skill
& qualification levels (requirement of quality management systems or certifications),
L&D is important for any organization. And evaluating the organization
L&D practices is a main item in any quality system or a certification audit.
(ISO 22000, BRC and SLS)
