Now is the Time To Invest in Your People

We are all looking to shave our expenditure wherever we can but if there is one area that you should be investing more money in its training.

Ironically, as a company that is focused on recruitment, we actually benefit from companies who don't invest in their team as our research shows that most candidates leave jobs for companies that offer better training and improved career prospects.

So why feature an article on it you may say? Well training is a core value of Avenue and to ensure we continue to be one of the market leaders, we continue to invest more time and money in training than any other recruitment company.

Every Avenue Scotland consultant - no matter how senior - completes 1 full day of training each month. Our trainees are likely to carry out an additional 5 days per month. From key competences such as interviewing and selection techniques, generating candidates, time management through to interpersonal skills such as active listening, effective communications, customer relations, we work harder to provide our clients with the very best service possible.

As someone who has played football at the highest level (well Dunfermline Athletic) and managed several clubs in the SFL I know that to perform at the top of your game you have to train regularly and you have to coach people on a one to one level.

I am sure that you would agree that there are always aspects of an employee's performance which can be enhanced but to do so means that you have to be prepared to get your sleeves rolled up and work with your team to know exactly what training is required.

When I explain this to our clients, many look in sheer amazement and ask what subjects we find to train them on every month. And I guess it's a fair point. Why should you train someone to do a job you felt they were qualified to do in the first place?

I believe that the minute you think you have arrived, the chances are you will go bust in 6 months. We therefore have to be proactive in the development of our talent pool and whilst each individual has the responsibility to develop themselves, the buck stops at the management team to ensure it happens.

The good news is that research into employee retention carried out by our consultancy division shows that training and development plays a major part in people's ongoing productivity, their commitment and their loyalty.

So if you want to get ahead, get a training programme in place today.