Evaluating Training

Citation

Powis, P. (2000), "Evaluating Training", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 32 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2000.03732dad.002

Evaluating Training

Evaluating Training

Sharon Bartram and Brenda GibsonGower1999ISBN: 0566078058£55.00 Hardback

Keywords Training, Evaluation, Feedback

Evaluating Training covers a broader field than its title implies. Whilst the main sections concentrate upon tools and checklists for the trainer to use to "measure results" and "measure impact", its early chapters provide tools to audit organization culture and design training needs analyses.

The book is essentially practical; many pages are devoted to checklists, bullet point questions and sample forms to support 24 tools rather than to explore underlying opportunities and barriers to effective evaluation.

Its greatest value to the new training manager lies in these instruments for measuring results and impact. Unusually, in the "results" section, it covers "trainer style" – both self-assessment and learner feedback, which could be useful for performance improvement.

Perhaps opportunities are missed to explore the importance of managing transfer of learning back into the workplace as well as to advance a tougher approach to demonstrating bottom-line training benefits.

Evaluating Training fills a niche for the new trainer primarily working with clerical or manual skills development. It will enable them to introduce a systematic approach to their work as the checklists are comprehensive as well as challenging.

Peter PowisUnilever Plc