Staff training: Team bonding and good record-keeping

PAUSE FOR a moment and reflect upon the most valuable asset of any company in the hospitality industry. It is, without doubt, the people who work for you.

All organisations depend upon the skills and productivity of their workforce for success and, ultimately, on the added value that comes from effective team working.

It is generally accepted that a team working together can achieve much more than any number of individuals working in isolation.

Yet not all groups of individuals who work alongside each other can be described as teams - and not all groups identified as 'teams' manage to work together in harmony and to the best effect.

Simply putting people together does not form a team, let alone a good team - it doesn't 'just happen'. Teams have to be built, managed, supported and developed but without effective staff training this is well nigh impossible.

Training is an inherent part of any organisation. It raises standards and morale, making staff feel a real part of the team and giving them objectives to aim for to further their careers.

The benefits of effective staff training are tenfold. It can bring:

• greater productivity

• reduced staff turnover

• improved communication

• enhanced motivation and job

satisfaction

• better use of skills, expertise and resources

• higher quality decision-making

• a better working atmosphere

• higher levels of performance

• higher staff morale

• higher level of customer service.

Achieving this takes work and commitment from both the trainer and, not least, the individuals being trained.

But the benefits of looking at communal problems, devising the training programme, carrying it out and reviewing it will soon become apparent.

Once a training structure has been set up and is under way, good record- keeping is of paramount importance - particularly as government bodies are keen to see training programmes in place and being diligently carried out.

Sadly though, some companies are remiss in doing this.

Keeping training records also has additional advantages, as some qualifications only have a three-year 'lifespan' - one of them being first-aid.

It is a legal requirement that every company with more than five employees should have an appointed first-aider, so imagine what problems could arise if the employees' qualification had expired and not been renewed.

Food hygiene is another area with a three-year qualification limit so it is obviously important to check records to ensure that qualified staff can renew them within the necessary timescale. For your food safety & training needs, please visit the Food safety Audits pages of the Venners website.

Training will also ensure that staff are kept up-to-date with new safety methods and also reinforce the importance of the 4Cs: cross-contamination, chilling, cooking and cleaning.

Detailed training records can also prove most useful to employers if problems arise. Should a member of staff claim certain training had not been received then a check of records can prove beyond doubt when it took place.

There is no aspect of the industry which cannot be covered by a well-planned training programme - from things as diverse as stock rotation to management systems.

In fact, training at its best is an investment beyond price.