Training

Computer training is an important factor in today’s workplaces. The importance of computer training can be viewed in two ways. First, it is vital for job applicants to obtain computer training to make themselves more valuable to potential employers and to obtain higher-paying jobs. Second, it is important for companies to utilize computer training in their new-hire training programs and employee development initiatives.

Job Skills

Computer skills are a basic requirement for a large number of jobs. Almost any office job you apply for will require you to possess basic typing and data entry skills, as well as a basic understanding of how to use an operating system. Most office work requires job applicants to be familiar with office productivity software as well, such as word processors and spreadsheet programs.

Even nonoffice jobs can require a bit of computer training. Retail cashier positions require employees to operate complex point-of-sale (POS) kiosks. Factory positions may require employees to use computers to log their hours worked or to enter production information each day.

Learning on the Job

Basic computer training provides a foundation on which employees can build new skills on the job. Employees may need to learn how to use a proprietary software program for a new job, for example, or learn how to use an upgraded POS system at work. Learning how to operate software you’ve never worked with before can be much easier if you already have a solid foundation of computer experience on which to build. Without that, picking up new skills becomes more challenging.

Productivity

Aside from the importance of job seekers obtaining computer training, small businesses can realize important benefits from leveraging computer technology in their training programs. Using computers to facilitate training exercises may avoid the loss of productivity that usually comes with new employees learning computer systems on the job.

Retail operations, for example, traditionally train new employees on POS software operation on the job, which can cause line queues to back up while customers grow annoyed. Using a simulated POS system to provide new hires with computer training in a controlled setting, on the other hand, can give employees the skills and confidence they need to serve customers effectively from their first day on the job.

Employee Development

Computer training can be used for a wide variety of applications, not just for software simulations. Anything that can be taught in a classroom can conceivably be taught via computer. Employees can take ethics courses, job skills training courses, leadership training courses, safety courses and anything else on a computer. Using computer technology to provide continual training opportunities for your workers can steadily increase employees’ professional competencies and experience, while accruing the benefits of a comprehensive employee development program to your business.