Training and Learning in the Workplace

There is a growing awareness of the strategic role of training and learning for organizational effectiveness. This article gives particular emphasis to the planned training and learning programs that occur in the context of the work setting or on the job. On-the-job training (OJT) and learning has garnered increased interest among researchers and practitioners because it addresses a number of practical and theoretical issues. The article discusses the context of workplace training and learning as it relates to the knowledge economy and implications for employee competence. Next, it seeks to define workplace training and learning in terms of the nature of the setting – formal or informal – and the degree of planning that the learning experiences receive. Third, it describes structured OJT (S-OJT) as one example of workplace training and learning that has received considerable interest in organizations and the implementation of S-OJT. Finally it reviews the research on S-OJT and raises issues for future research.