HOW TO PROMOTE INTERNAL TRAINING?

One important aspect a training divison should do is promotion. We mustn’t forget the opportunity to promote our wares and what a small or significant improvement we have done to make them better. This is where we say “we’re here, and we’re here to help”.
Occasionally, the case is, the training is great, if only someone would use it. Now there are many reasons why this wonder asset isn’t being used, most of the time the comment is “I didn’t know (such and such) training was available”.

Take this chance to show the rest of the team what you can do for them, what you have and why they need to continue their own development.
Vehicles for promoting your training

• Notice board: Don’t have a training notice board – get one right now. This is where your training plan and course nomination forms live. Also put up other resources (e.g. newsletters), suggestion and feedback forms, recent achievements and upcoming training opportunities.
• Ceremonies: I know that not all graduates of training enjoy the fanfare of receiving recognition in public, but it is a promotional opportunity. It tells the word what is available and rewards learning effort. It doesn’t need to go ‘all out’ and it could be a simple announcement.
• Press kit: Introduce yourselves to every new person who steps in the door and offer up your services. Give them a welcome pack that outlines what is available, where to find out more and who to contact.
• Word of mouth: Ask previous course participants for referrals. If they can spread the word and generate a buzz, it will circulate through the workplace quicker ("tell the others what you like, tell us what you don't")
• Guest presence: Attend workplace gatherings, especially those put together by your operational counter parts. You don’t actually have speak at any workplace gathering, just be there to answer questions and give out further information. You can also learn a thing or two about their needs.
• Audience with managers: Get one-on-one time with the other leaders and supervisors. Ask to help them with the performance reporting and goal setting for their direct reports. If your training becomes a part of an employees development plan, that’s a referral from the top.
• Start a newsletter: These are great for publishing the results of your efforts and the achievements of your students. It can also serve as an information pamphlet (additional resources etc), a request for feed back, an address book for contacts and a flier for upcoming events. Throw in a few work related quiz questions would be interesting!.
• Web presence: If you have an intranet, create a website. This is where your future prospects will find out what you have to offer when you’re not around to tell them yourself. This is also a great place to put additional information such as links to other web resources, recent news or fact sheets (incentive for past students to return).
• Information sessions: It doesn’t have to be a formal presentation or gathering, just make yourself available at a particular point for a particular period. Share a coffee or morning tea and even of nobody shows, it usually generates enough interest to increase your popularity for the next few days.

Promoting your efforts itself could generate interest to your activities. A well trained workforce is powerful assets; a desirable training generates a hunger to learn and motivates a team to become one.