Understanding the processes for corporate trainings in IT industry

Abstract

In this project, we aim to study the Processes for Executing Corporate Training Programs in the context of IT Industry. IT industry is one of the fasting growing industries in India and one of the challenges that it faces today is to how add value to its employees. Corporate Training program, which includes management, behavioral, soft skills trainings, is acting as a means to add value to the current skill set of the employees within the IT organization. Training is a formal teaching of skills. It is often undertaken by an organization as a strategic activity aimed at improving the performance of the business by improving the performance of its employees. The project study helped us understand the subject of Corporate Training program in the context of IT industries, which is an evolving domain. As part of project, we undertook a literature study with focus on following aspects; what is the learning process? What skills are required for IT jobs? What are the training methods available? Amongst various training methods available, which training method(s) should be employed for learning a skill? What is relative effectiveness of different training methods? Should training be done using multiple methods for better effectiveness? Finally, How to determine ROI on training expenses? We classified the IT jobs using Per row framework and have suggested an effective method of training for each type of skill. In addition, we looked study done by Shoenfelt on relative effectiveness of training methods. Based on the study, we found that blended learning is an effective way for corporate training. To confirm our theoretical findings, we conducted a series of interviews with IT professionals working in various companies. We also rolled out a survey to larger set of IT professionals. The 6 responses were consistent with our findings from literature study, that learning is not an event, but a process and blended learning is preferred method. To understand training process in IT industry, in general, we interviewed training head of few IT firms, head of a service provider for IT firms and well-known independent trainer. Based on knowledge gathered, we took a detailed study of training process in Corp Gem and proposed a list of recommendations.