Why better trained staff cost less
Replacing a member of staff costs money. Lots of money. First of all there’s the recruitment process – placing adverts, arranging interviews – and the costs of taking the time to sort all this out. Then there is the salary and additional benefits to pay for them.
Even when they’re in place, there is an integration period where they probably won’t be working at full capacity as they learn the ropes. All in all, the break-even period for a new member of staff can be anything from six months up to a couple of years.
So, if that member of staff leaves before that period is up, they’ve actually cost the business money to employ. Apply this same principle to all your members of staff and the company wouldn’t last very long. That’s why hanging on to staff members, and making sure they settle quickly and invest in the company, is essential to good business. A huge part of this process revolves around effective training.
Not only does training ensure that new members of staff can quickly settle and get up to speed with working practices (we’ve probably all worked in jobs where it doesn’t seem clear what we’re supposed to be doing and no one seems forthcoming with any help or advice) but it also increases productivity and cost efficiency. Of course, training costs time and money but it is an investment worth making. And there is another, perhaps more significant, reason for staff training: better trained staff are happier and more inclined to stay.
Invest in your staff and they feel valued, and are more likely to return the compliment. Staff who feel like their skills are important and who are able to develop are more likely to stay with you than those who don’t feel they are getting anything out of their role. In this way, better trained staff benefit the company both directly and indirectly.
All of the above is especially relevant to the care industry, where both high turnover of staff and training are touchstone topics. Staff who lack the requisite training in working procedures, safety equipment such as evac chairs, and who see little opportunity for career progression are more likely to jump ship. When hanging on to good staff can make the difference to the quality of care you provide, this is a big issue.
Also, at a time when budgets are stretched to breaking point and the bottom line is more important than it has ever been, staff retention takes on even more significance. So train, and train well, and you should reap the benefits.