subject: Have You Got A Communication, Numeracy Or Literacy Problem In Your Workplace? [print this page] Ask Workbase New Zealands leading literacy, numeracy and communication specialists
Dear Workbase
How can we successfully promote internal staff to other areas of the business? Our employees and supervisors have great technical skills in their own jobs but dont understand other parts of the company. Furthermore, supervisors dont know how to identify team members who have the skills needed for roles in other departments.
We would gain business efficiencies by promoting staff internally and employees would also benefit personally. We are aware, however, that many could find learning challenging. What can we do to achieve a positive outcome for the company and our people?
Sara
Dear Sara
You are not alone! These are common problems for many businesses.
Start by developing a competency framework. For each role, define the tasks and the necessary knowledge, skills and personal attributes (e.g. the ability to work well in a team) for effective performance. This framework will enable you to create focused employee training and development strategies that meet your companys requirements.
Literacy training will also help you to specify what competencies are required for improved performance, thus creating a standardised performance management approach that is clear and accessible to everyone in the company. The competency framework should show how each role relates to the companys business goals.
Staff will become more effective in their current roles once these frameworks are implemented and appropriate development opportunities and support systems are put in place. The competency framework will also identify individuals skills and knowledge, making it easy to see who has skills that can be further developed for transferring into new roles.
Linking individual employee performance to company goals and values will benefit the company by enabling it to:
recruit and induct the right staff for each position
identify skill and competency gaps
identify where training and professional development is required
