The Significance of Training and Development

Most of us would have heard of the term, "Training and Development". But, what is its significance? What is "Training" and "Development"?

If you are working in a typical organisation, you should be familiar with this annual process called Performance Appraisal or Performance Evaluation, during which your superior would assess your work performance typically over the last one year. Besides the quantitative evaluation, the superior has to identify qualitatively, your area of weakness and strength.

Weakness in performance refers to the gap between what is expected of you and what you have actually achieved. This gap is also called the training gap and it is expected to be closed up through the process of "Training". So, training addresses the performance gap or weakness.

On the other hand, the strength is a trait or quality or attribute that you currently have, and it may be potentially relevant to your future work or career. This sort of strength could be harnessed and built up through the process of "Development". So, development addresses the strength of the person and prepares him or her for future career directions.

Hence, we should continue to identify our strengths and weaknesses in our journey of lifelong learning. Train on our weaknesses and develop on our strengths.