The Great Training Debate

Let’s play pretend for a moment. 

Say you’re thinking that it’s time to finally equip your teams with cutting-edge skills and knowledge. You suddenly realize that you don’t have the internal resources to take your training department or programs to the next level. Now, cue the internal debate… 

You sit in a meeting room or virtual meeting asking yourselves, “Do we go down that long, tedious, and costly road of hiring a trainer? Or maybe we should look at outsourcing sourcing options? The last time we did that, it took months to hire and onboard.”

If you have or are having this conversation within your organization, you’re not alone. Nor is this internal conversation new. 

Let me walk you through 8 reasons why outsourcing your training may be the best option:

1. Expertise & Specialization:

When you hire an outside firm, you're bringing in a dedicated specialist with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the training domain. These professionals have worked with a diverse range of industries and companies, giving them a broad perspective on what works best. Because they can’t afford to become complacent, they stay up-to-date with the latest trends and methodologies, ensuring your employees receive top-notch training tailored to your organization's unique requirements.

2. Fresh Perspective:

A new set of eyes can bring fresh insights and innovative ideas to your training initiatives. Consultants thrive on challenges and approach projects with a different mindset, unburdened by internal biases or routines. This fresh perspective can revitalize your organization’s training approach, leading to improved engagement, retention, and ultimately, better results.

3. Cost-Effective Solution:

Hiring a full-time employee for a training role can be costly. Aside from the salary, you need to factor in additional expenses like benefits, office space, equipment, and training materials. In contrast, an outside consultant is a more cost-effective solution. You can engage their services on a project-by-project basis, paying only for the expertise and time you need. This flexibility allows you to optimize your training budget and invest in other critical areas of your business.

4. Speed & Efficiency:

Time is of the essence, and an outside consultant can hit the ground running. They bring ready-made strategies and methodologies that have been tried and tested across various organizations. This accelerated onboarding process means your training initiatives can be implemented faster, saving you valuable time and resources.

5. Neutral & Objective Facilitation:

An outside consultant brings objectivity to the table, ensuring unbiased evaluation and feedback. They can objectively assess your organization's strengths and weaknesses without any internal politics or emotional attachments. This impartiality leads to better insights and recommendations for refining your training strategy.

6. Reduced Internal Burden:

When you hire an employee for a training role, it can create additional responsibilities for your existing team members, leading to potential burnout and reduced productivity. Outsourcing your training needs to a consultant frees up your internal resources, allowing your team to focus on their core responsibilities, enhancing overall productivity.

7. Customized Solutions:

No two organizations are exactly alike, and a cookie-cutter approach to training won't suffice. An outside consultant can customize training programs specifically tailored to your company's culture, objectives, and challenges. This personalized touch leads to higher employee engagement and better alignment with your organizational goals.

8. Access to government funded training subsidies and grants:

Many states and provinces have government driven training subsidies to help companies up-skill their employees. Many consultants can assist you in finding government grants to help offset the training costs. 

As you can see, hiring an outside consultant for your training can offer some interesting advantages. With their expertise, fresh perspective, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, objectivity, and customized solutions, your organization will experience a remarkable transformation. 

If you’re hiring or thinking of hiring an internal trainer for your training needs, and would like to know more about how a company like PONO Learning can help, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Training shouldn’t be complicated!