Where to Go for Free Learning and Development

When was the last time you took a training course or learned something new that you could apply to your job?  I know budgets are tight and companies are not sending their employees for training, they are not even allowing them to have training internally since we all know that the first cut to be made is the T&D budget. Yet employees still need and want to grow in their professions.

E-learning or electronic learning has taken the place of many campus taught courses and thank goodness employees at least have somewhere to go to keep their saws sharp. However, companies are not always producing content fast enough or updated enough to satisfy the needs of the employees.

Since most people use the internet to search for knowledge, I thought I would do an inquiry about learning.  I found the following free web sites that provide training.  There are more where these came from, but for demonstration purposes these work just fine.

Microsoft Application Training – Free

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/training-FX101782702.aspx

OSHA Training  – Free

http://www.free-training.com/

Computer Training Courses – Free

http://www.intelligentedu.com/cat1.html

I then did a search on “how to repair...” , “Learning a new…”, and “what is….”, I even tried, “where can I find information on….” and was presented with a plethora of information.

It goes without saying that we need to take control of our learning and development.  In the ‘good old days’ you would ask your boss, seek information from a library book or use an encyclopedia.  (When is the last time you even saw an encyclopedia?) We now have the wonderful tool called the internet.  At our finger tips is a wealth of information just waiting for us to click on the URL.

I am sure you already use the internet, but think of it for your training and development as well.  Take a moment to do a search for skills needed in your profession and see what you find.  Then set aside some time to take a training course!  When you are done with the course, share the knowledge with your peers and boss at work.  You will feel great knowing you are on top of your game and your peer and boss will be impressed as well.

(I do not endorse any of the sites provided, although I have taken courses through the Microsoft site, I have not done so with the others.)

What do Training and Life and Death Have In Common?

What do Training and Life and Death Have In Common?

I’ve said it before that the first thing companies do to cut costs is cut the training and development departments of their companies. When times are great, companies will offer personal development opportunities. What a smart way to keep employees engaged and loyal to the company!

Let’s take this a bit further and think about your doctor. You trust him/her to be skilled and knowledgeable enough to handle any health crisis that you or your family might be faced with. Would you go to a doctor that never keeps up on the latest techniques, drugs, procedures, etc. After all, once they get their MD designation they are practicing medicine so why should they have to invest more time and energy into staying current? The answer, for the same reason you and your employees need to stay current with what is happening in your workplace, to improve and grow!

Do you recall the airline crash and the Pilot Sullenberger? Well, look what he has to say – Sullenberger told CBS News anchorwoman Katie Couric that “for 42 years, I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience: education and training. And on Jan. 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.” When he made that withdrawal he saved lives! Many lives. Now, don’t you think that the passengers on that plane were happy that they had a pilot that thought enough to keep his skills sharp?

Your employees may not be faced with life and death situations, but they are in charge of making your company profitable. Isn’t that enough to invest in their knowledge and skills bank?