Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
If you are a CEO, president, and/or manager, make a note of the following: Talent in your company can be even more skilled at doing a different job, if only they knew they could do it.
Cross-training is the practice of training employees to work in several different roles, or training them to do tasks that lie outside their normal responsibilities. This creates versatility and agility within an organization. Cross-training helps maintain stability and provides valuable flexibility across teams. Not to mention in times of crisis, employees are prepared for contingencies and will help to keep that stability.
Cross-training can also lead to internal mobility in which talent can explore new roles and career paths, as well as develop and strengthen skills. With cross-training, internal mobility will be easier and will offer enormous payoffs, including increased retention, flexibility, engagement, and agility, and could reduce the cost and time of hiring.
According to LinkedIn, only 15% of employees say they have been encouraged to move to a new role internally. This is a great opportunity for employers to give their talented workforce the chance to discover new paths and professional growth. It will benefit both, the employers and employees, in the long run.
A cross-training program will help to successfully create internal mobility. In addition, an internal questionnaire can help find out what other roles people are interested in.
Creating a cross-training program should include the following:
Set goals for your program
Determine a structure for your cross-training
Identify employees to cross-train
Motivate your employees to participate
Use the most experienced teachers
Identify the Method (on-the-job training, instructor lead trainer)
Follow up with participants
Implement a job rotation program
Get feedback from participants
If your organization does not have a cross-training program, consider implementing one and seeing the results for yourself. Remember, happy employees are as much as 20% more productive in the workplace than unhappy employees.
Written by: Sandy Rivera, Recruiting Coordinator at Hunter Crown, LLC
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