What is human resource development?
Human resource development is an important function of human resource management. In this age, organizations have to work in competitive and dynamic environments. An organization should be able to cope with changing environmental forces. Controlling the situation and environment depends on how far the organization can develop and utilize its human resources and thus be ready to understand and cope with these changing environments. Human resource development is concerned with two elements: Training and development. Training helps employees do their jobs, and development helps managers handle future responsibilities.
According to DeCenzo and Robbins, “Human resource development is concerned with preparing employees to work effectively and efficiently in the organization.”
According to T.V Rao, “Human resource development is the process of enabling people to make things happen.”
Thus, human resource development focuses on both training and development of people in the organization to do their jobs in the best possible way.
Importance of Human Resource Development
Human resource development is concerned with developing the competencies of people in an organization. The importance of human resource development can be stated as:
Improve competencies
Human resources are the most valuable assets of any organization. Competent employees are necessary for all organizations to succeed in internal and external operations. Thus, the knowledge, skills, and capacities of employees should be increased for the growth and progress of an organization.
Increase productivity
Human resource development enables the employees to develop their competencies. Productivity can be achieved by reducing the cost of production and satisfying customers when demand arises. One of the basic features of human resource development is matching the individual with his or her job. By providing challenging and meaningful jobs to educated and motivated employees, it improves the employee’s efficiency and the organization’s productivity.
Increase commitments
The positive attitudes and behaviors of employees play an important role in achieving organizational objectives. The information regarding employees’ attitudes can be used to predict their behavior and finally their commitment at work. Human resource development provides opportunities to discover, develop, and use their potentials, which increase commitment in them.
Manage change and conflict
Employees in the organization are learners and the organization is nowadays regarded as a learning organization. Employees should be provided with a learning organization. Employees should be provided with a suitable environment for both individual and organizational growth. It improves the relationship in teamwork through improved communication, trust, and friendship. This helps in change and manages conflict.
Environmental adaptation
Human resource development equips employees to respond to changing environmental forces. Employees must be involved in human resources development programs to upgrade them to use changing technology. It enhances the ability of an organization to complete and adapt to a changing environment.
Objectives of Employee Training
Training is a useful human resource tool for improving the skills of employees and enhancing their capacity to cope with the ever-changing demands of the work situation. Training becomes essential because it contributes to the profits of the organization. the objectives of the employee training can be viewed from the following points.
To improve knowledge and skills of human resource
Training is the best way to encourage employees with enough skills and knowledge to perform jobs. However, the increasingly technical nature of modern jobs requires systematic training to make possible even minimum levels of accomplishment. It helps in increasing productivity. This improves both quality and quantity of output.
Attitude formation
Training also shapes the attitude and behavior of employees. Acceptable behavior is essential while performing activities with other coworkers. A proper training program shapes employees’ attitudes toward organizational activities and creates better cooperation and loyalty. Their morale would be high. Moreover, proper training also reduces dissatisfaction, absenteeism, job turnover, complaints, etc.
To reduce the supervisory burden
Training makes employees self-reliant in their work because they know what to do and how to do it. The trained employees are those who can perform with limited supervision. They are capable enough to accomplish their duties which reduces the need for supervision. Greater independence is possible with adequate training.
Economical operation
Training ensures employees make better and more economical use of materials and other sources. With the help of their tactful behavior, wastage, damage and accidents to machines and equipment will be minimized. This helps improve the quality and productivity of output.
Quick learning
Training saves time during the process of learning. The qualified instructors will help the employees to get the knowledge and skills to do a particular job. This ultimately helps them to change their behavior to cope with work situations. Within a specific period, an employee will be able to perform the job properly.