Three methods are used to assist newcomers in performing their jobs. These include: orientation, which fits them into the job and organization; training, which upgrades the skills of technical and operational employees; and development, which upgrades the skills of professionals and managers.

Watch the Wall Street Journal video on "U.S. Workers: We Need More Training to Compete." (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

In this 7-minute video, correspondent Tanya Rivero interviews Markle Foundation president and CEO, Zoe Baird, about a study that shows Americans feel they need more training and education in order to compete for jobs.

Discuss

After watching the video, answer the following questions:

Evaluate the effectiveness of an orientation training that you received for your last job or current job. Did you feel the orientation training was purposeful and valuable to your on-boarding for that organization? Explain your rational. If your organization didn't have an orientation training, do you think the organization should have an orientation training program? Why or why not? and would an orientation training help new employees better transition into the organization?

Next, from your viewpoint, how important is organizational training to an employee and to the organization? Discuss ways organizations could evaluate the effectiveness of their internal training programs

Lastly, assume you want to get promoted at work within the next 3 years. What development opportunities should you seek out to help you get promoted?

What specific skills and competencies do you need to develop and why did you select those specific skills and competencies?