13 Chapter 12, Future of Training and Development

Discussion Topics

1.What are the future directions of training?

2.What impact will the computer and cellular technology have on training?

3.Can the computer replace face-to-face training? Why? Why not?

Activities

1.Have students go to a bookstore and/or a computer store and assess the current self-help programs. Discuss the implications of these programs on future directions.

2.Have students call and interview training directors of various organizations on the future directions for training in their organizations.

Test Questions

1.People skills continue to be a major thrust in the future. (T)

2.Manufacturing skills training will serve as the backbone for training in the years to come. (F)

3.The role of a facilitator should increase as we embrace the computer. (T)

4.An internship works well for a student who does not have a full-time job.

(T)

5.The future workplace will see some changes that are based on which of the following: (a) shifts in demographics of entry-level workers, (b) increased technology, (c) changes in people’s potential, (d) a and b, (e) a and c.

6.As we look to the changing work force, we will see some changes in terms of new workers. Organizations, as they look at new workers, will be concerned with: (a) the number of new workers, (b) the gender of these workers, (c) the ethnicity of these workers, (d) all of the above, (e) only b and c.

7.An important issue(s) facing the work force is(are): (a) the notion of flex-time, (b) the environment of the office, (c) the level of operationalized programs, (d) the infusion of computers in the work force, (e) all of the above.

8.The evolving nature of organizations forces us to examine a number of trends which include: (a) downsizing, (b) the service sector, (c) the international challenge, (d) all of the above, (e) only a and c.

9.The effective trainer of tomorrow is: (a) reactive, (b) proactive, (c) self­ employed, (d) all of the above, (e) none of the above.

10.Which of the following is not one of the five changes that will affect the information age? (a) electronic leisure, (b) educational practices, (c) network information (d) environment considerations, (e) none of the above.

11.The reason that T & D has a bright future is: (a) we are moving toward more service-based industry, (b) employees need people skills, (c) we will rely more on communication than transportation, (d) we must learn to cope with the volume of material we receive, both written and oral, (e) all of the above.

Essay

1. While there are no wrong or right answers, discuss a major trend that you envision in training and describe why you believe it to be in our future.