Most of the training undertaken in the automotive sector never actually gets implemented in the workplace, according to an industry expert.

Speaking at AM’s Autoretailing conference, Remit Resourcing director Rod Castle, said managers should weigh up whether the cost of training is justified and ensure they get a return from it.

He said many people were not motivated by training, failed to see the relevance of being there and did not understand why they had been sent on a course.

“As managers, we do it because we feel we have to,” he added.

Training is often just a cost. There has to be a return for it to be an investment, said Castle.

Employees can also get too much training. Staff need knowledge, skills and competence. An employee might go on numerous training courses, so have the knowledge, but not know how to implement it in his job role.

“Classroom training can be a good thing, but not always,” he said. “It might not be training they need. It could be coaching or mentoring as a development tool.”

Managers can also prepare a candidate to succeed with training. If managers convey their expectations of staff training beforehand, it can help employees focus.

Castle said employees should go to trainers and say: “The reason I’m here is because my manager has seen that I’m lacking in this area and I want to leave here knowing specific things.”

“Pre-preparation is key,” he added. “The focus of the candidate is shockingly different.”

Direct interaction between management and trainer can be beneficial.

“Say ‘I want him to come back and apply x to his job’. It’s a fantastic help to both trainer and management.”

After returning from training, it is important to provide an environment to apply the skills that have been learned.Management should have a meeting with the employee, discuss how training went, make an action plan and decide on expectations.

Another meeting a week later should see how they are progressing.

“This is not what happens with most training. That’s when money gets poured down a hole,” said Castle.

He added that remote learning had a part to play in training, particularly with product information.