HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE - Fichier PDF

Learning and development ❚ 5651. The workshop as a site for learning. In this case, learning and working are spatiallyseparated with some form of structured learning activity occurring off or near thejob. This may be in a company training centre or a ‘training island’ on the shopfloor where the production process is reproduced for trainees.2. The workplace as a learning environment. In this approach, the workplace itselfbecomes an environment for learning. Various on-the-job training activities takeplace, which are structured to different degrees. Learning is intentional andplanned, aimed at training employees by supporting, structuring and monitoringtheir learning.3. Learning and working are inextricably mixed. In this case, learning is informal. Itbecomes an everyday part of the job and is built into routine tasks. Workersdevelop skills, knowledge and understanding through dealing with the challengesposed by the work. This can be described as continuous learning. AsZuboff (1988) put it: ‘Learning is not something that requires time out from beingengaged in productive activity; learning is the heart of productive activity.’Formal learningFormal learning is planned and systematic and involves the use of structured trainingprogrammes consisting of instruction and practice.Informal and formal learning comparedA comparison between informal and formal learning is shown in Table 38.1.Table 38.1InformalCharacteristics of formal and informal learningFormalHighly relevant to individual needsLearners learn according to needMay be small gap between current andtarget knowledgeLearner decides how learning will occurImmediate applicability (‘Just-in-time’ learning)Learning readily transferableOccurs in work settingRelevant to some, not so relevant to othersAll learners learn the same thingMay be variable gaps between current andtarget knowledgeTrainer decides how learning will occurVariable times, often distantProblems may occur in transferring learningto the workplaceOften occurs in non-work setting