HRD Report: Learning Styles, Training, and Development at Sainsbury

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of human resource development (HRD) at Sainsbury's, a major UK supermarket chain. It begins by defining HRD and its importance in enhancing employee skills and organizational goals. The report then delves into various learning styles, including Kolb's and Honey and Mumford's models, and the significance of the learning curve in training. It explores different learning theories, such as behaviorist and cognitive approaches, and their application in planning effective training programs. The report further examines the training needs at different hierarchical levels within Sainsbury's, from top management to lower-level staff. It also evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of different training methods, including on-the-job, online, and lecture-based approaches. Finally, the report touches upon government-led skills development initiatives and their impact on Sainsbury's employee training programs.

Human Resource Development

INTRODUCTION
Human resources development is the tool which is used in the business for the purpose
of develop and improve the employees skills, knowledge, and abilities. Thus, this tool helps to
employees for develop their personal and organizational skills, knowledge, and abilities that
helps in their personal and professional carrier (Chams and García-Blandón, 2019). It includes
different opportunities for employees such as- training programme, employee carrier
development, performance management and development coaching etc. This all process helps
for develops employee strengths and their ability to contribute in the organization and helps to
achieve the overall organization goal.
The present report is based on human resource development of Sainsbury. It is the second
largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom that provides the different types consumer
goods to the consumers.Thus, the report will cover the various ways of improving the employees
ability such as – explain the different learning theories and learning styles, and importance of
learning curve, plan and designs training and development programme, advantage and
disadvantages of training methods. Lastly, the report will evaluate a training event and describe
the government-led skills development initiatives.
TASK 1
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Leaning styles is refers to improve the ability and knowledge among the person that helps
to improve the professional carrier as well improve their future. Thus, learning style is the
method a person uses to learn and understand the different things (Hughes and Gosney, 2019). A
person can use the different learning methods that aids to maximize the understanding level of
person. Therefore, to improve the ability employees may use the individual learning styles by
analyse that which types of methods, activities and environment help them to learn best. There
are different types of learning styles such as - Kolb’s learning style inventory; Myers Briggs
Type Indicator, Neil Fleming's VAK/VARK model, Peter Honey and Alan Mumford's model.
Thus, to better understanding the learning theories used the Kolb’s learning style inventory and
Peter Honey and Alan Mumford's model (Hughes and Gosney, 2019).
Kolb’s learning style inventory - This styles is published in 1984 it is based on experiential
learning model and there have four separate learning model that helps to person to improve their
individual growth. Thus, learning is provided the knowledge among the employees is created
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through the transformation of experience as it is the process that enhance the internal confidence
among the individual. Kolb's experiential learning style theory is typically represented by a four-
stage learning cycle in which the learner 'touches all the bases such as Concrete Experience,
Reflective Observation of the New Experience, Abstract Conceptualization, Active
Experimentation.
Concrete Experience – In this stage it describe that how much experience person have to
accomplish the task that means person use their existing experience and improve into a new
experience.
Reflective observation of the new experience - in this stages, it describe that person really
understand or not and observe the work their man concentrate on explanation rather than
opportunity(Muda and Erlina, 2019)). Therefore, by adopting new method person enhance their
skills they only focus on improving the understanding level. Thus, employee are focus on new
ideas and concepts that helps them to enhance the knowledge.
Abstract conceptualization - In this stages, it describes that person with good concept of
learning style easily solve problems with their high knowledge and person will use their learning
to identify the best solutions to practical issues (Ferraris, Erhardt and Bresciani, 2019).
Active Experimentation - In this stage by using all methods and improving knowledge person
can implement their ideas and identify that this ideas really works or not.
Thus, sainsbury can used this method in the business to improve the ability and
knowledge among the employees this theory helps to firm for motivate the employees towards
the work, Thus, employees work with high enthusiasm that helps to meet the organizational
goals.
Peter Honey and Alan Mumford's model - This, method is based on questionnaire, this gives
the ideas that how to improve the learning ability among the people. This theory makes the
learning easier more enjoyable, and more effective. There are different characteristics in this
theory such as - Activist, Theorist, Pragmatist, Reflector (.Griffith, Baur and Buckley, 2019).
Activist - This characteristics describes that people are active and they use their mind and also
they participating in group discussion and problem solving activities.
Theorist - In this peoples are follow the methods and models, they understand the methods and
then take any action.
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Pragmatist – In this people are experiment with theories, ideas, and techniques and take the time
to think about how what they’ve done relates to reality(Chorley, 2019).
Reflector - In this people are directly understand things by watching the other people.
Thus, this theory is also the best Sainsbury can use this theory in the business because this theory
is easy to understand and also less expensive and less time taking so firm can use to enhance the
motivation among the employees.
2.
Employee learning curve – it is the representation of graph it describe the rate of learning. The
main role of learning curve is that it describe the relationship between learning methods and
amount of efforts of the employees (Branicki, Steyer and Sullivan-Taylor, 2019). Thus, The
typical plotting of a learning curve shows the percentage of learning on the y-axis and the time
(or experience) for learning on the x-axis.
Importance of learning curve
 The main importance of Learning curve is that it used psychologists, students, teachers,
employees and employers to identify the needs of training (Branicki, Steyer and Sullivan-
Taylor, 2019). Thus, when the needs is identify people use the different methods and the
plot progress and set expectations on how much time, training and development
programme might be required to enhance the knowledge and ability of particular work.
 Sainsbury use the learning curve that helps to reduce the cost of the training because this
curve is helps to identify the requirement of training and development programme.
 A learning curve is described the relationship between the cumulative number of unit
produced and production time of unit (Chorley, 2019).
 The main importance of leaning curve is that it helps to transfer the knowledge and also
this methods is focuses by the organization so it can easily achieved because firm provide
the opportunity to employees to learn more things so employee are motivated and they
improve their knowledge.
 Through learning curve firm can adjust their additional and standard cost that helps to
firm for reducing the operational cost.
 This method helps to making the budget Because firm easily identify the accurate cost of
labour which helps to manage the employee turnover. Thus, production and labour
budget van be adjusted more accurately through learning curves.
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3.
Different learning theories – learning theories helps to organization to plan the learning event
that helps to improve the knowledge and ability among the employees (Blandón, 2019). Thus,
by using the learning styles and theories it helps to identify that which types of style and theory
Sainsbury used in their panning process that helps to enhance the knowledge among the people.
There are different types of theories such as Behaviourist Approach,Cognitive Concept
Behaviourist Approach - Behaviourism theory is assumes that when people are born they have
no knowledge and mind also the mind is a blank slate and afterwards mind is shaped by
improving the knowledge also enhance knowledge through punishment (Chams and García).
There are two types of approach positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement from our
environment.
Positive reinforcement – It improves the knowledge by adding some theories and models.
Negative reinforcement – In this it helps to remove the negative things.
Punishment – Punishment is gives the ideas to person that how to improve the behaviour.
Thus, this theory is easy, Sainsbury can used this theory because this theory is easy to
understand and easy to implement in the business (Griffith, Baur. and Buckley, 2019).
Cognitive Concept -
In this theory it assumes that the mind of peoples is how effectively works that means people
mind is an information processing system like the computer. Thus, the mind of peoples are
highly knowledgable and they see the world depends on our mental processes such as pattern
problem-solving and mental imagery,recognition, perception (Hughes and Gosney, 2019).
Thus, this theory is helps to Sainsburry because this theory implies that the positive and
effective learning helps to improve the works environment because learning is easier for the
peoples who have ability of store the information and new information can be stored in the
memory for a long time.
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TASK 2
Training needs for hierarchical department in an organization
There are different segments in an organization such as top, middle and lower level of
management. Staff at all levels in Sainsbury need training at their own level in the company.
Top level management Middle level management Lower level management
This include managers,
directors, chief executive
officer, chief financial officer
etc.
It comprises of branch and
departmental managers
(Seidle, Fernandez and Perry,
2016).
This include office workers,
operation, foreman and
superintendents.
It is responsible for controlling
management and setting up
goal and policies for the future
(Chams and García-Blandón,
2019).
This provides direction to
lower level managers to work
accordingly and is a mediator
between top level and lower
level of management.
It is responsible in seeing
operational work that is done
by office workers by managing
all activities that is performed
at lower level in Sainsbury.
At this level of management
there is less requirement of
training as all staff is well
educated.
Training is required as changes
take place in Sainsbury for
understanding new policies
and procedures.
At lower level there is more
need of training as staff is not
well educated.
It is making strategic plan for
Sainsbury that help in aligning
different levels of
management.
At this level plan is being
carried out that is made by top
level of management.
They are responsible in
providing information to top
level managers.
Training is not necessary as it
only formulate policies so it
has having clear understanding
in Sainsbury.
Effective training is required
to carry out operations of the
company.
Training is not much required
to facilitate Sainsbury
operations (Rowland, Hall and
Altarawneh, 2017).

Pros and cons of training methods
There are different methods of training such as on the job, role playing, simulation,
lecture method etc.
On the job training:- This type of training is provided at the time of working in Sainsbury as
changes in rules and regulation that require enhancement of skills and knowledge in an
employee.
Advantages
 It is simple method of learning and economical.
 It helps in enhancing productivity among employees of Sainsbury.
 Easy communication between trainer and staff (Sundstrom and et. al., 2016). It helps in saving time as on the job training is provided as no extra time needed to attend
training sessions in the company.
Disadvantages
 It creates disturbance in between working hours in Sainsbury (Sullivan-Taylor, 2019).
 Difference between trainer and employee build gaps as changing session in training.
 It is costly as trainer have to spend its time with employee during its office hours.
Online training :- This training is provided through online medium such as through internet or
other medium of sources as through links, videos and multimedia elements through which
training is being provided.
Advantages
 It provide easy access to training through different medium of internet.
 It is not necessary as presence of trainee at the time of providing training to employees. Content that is provided to all employees is consistent as there is no such changes in
training process.
Disadvantages
 There is huge cost require for providing training to employees.
 It requires time as trainer first record it and then it is provided to people.
 For this computer is required as providing to employees of Sainsbury.
Lecture method:- In this training is provided by interacting with people face to face and in this
there is no interaction between trainer and employees.
Advantages
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 Information can be provided to employees that will be useful for it in the future. Training is provided to large number of employees at one point of time in Sainsbury.
Disadvantages
 Visual symbols is being used so that it is easy to understand.
 It takes more time to provide training to employees.
2.3 Systematic approach for training and development event
Training refers to improve skills and knowledge for future that help in enhancing
performance of employees in the company (Dodson, Kitburi and Berge, 2015). On the other
hand, development mainly focuses on growth and capability to work more in Sainsbury.
Different steps are involved in systematic approach are as follows:
Identify needs of training
In this group of employees is identified that require training. Management of Sainsbury
have to identify areas in which training is being provided to employees (Griffith, Baur and
Buckley, 2019). It is necessary for providing training that helps in enhancing skills and
knowledge according to changes that have taken place in Sainsbury.
Formulation of training objectives
In second step objective is set that help in giving effective training to staff that will help
in providing different aspect to employees as they are aware regarding policies and procedures
that is implemented in Sainsbury(Griffith, Baur and Buckley, 2019).
Choosing training method
From different methods of training one is chosen by Sainsbury to provide training to its
employees. As there are different types of training method that is used are role playing, case
study, on the job training and off the job training.
Assess training results
This is the last step that provide results of training by using various metrics as
performance will be improved, training is providing in high quality or it give any return on
investment to employees (Armstrong and Landers, 2018). Results can also obtained by taking
feedback from other employees of Sainsbury.
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TASK 3
3.1prepare an evaluation form to consider what the staff have learn
Tesco providing training to the marketing employees in order to enhance skills and knowledge
related to marketing among the employees. Thus, employees of marketing departments
participating In training programme to enhance their strong communication skills. This
communication skills helps employee to communicate with customer to identify the needs and
wants. In this through training employees can improves their communication skill, and also they
able to conduct the market research as which types of needs and demands of customer and what
the actual trend. On the other side, employee are understand that how to prepare the budget and
make the plan to target the customer (Ferraris, Erhardt and Bresciani, 2019). Henceforth,
employees are understand that how to package design, develop advertising campaigns, and
choose media outlets, such as television, radio, Internet, billboards, or newspapers to promote
their company's products. Thus, this training programme enhance the skills and knowledge
among the employees So, When employee understand the training programme so they able to
conduct the Market research and helps to Tesco for achieving the vision and mission.
3.2 Evaluation of training
 Reduce employee turnover
 Improving quality of work force
 Asses the behaviour of employees
 Identify the review of training session
 Measuring the performance of employees
 Reduce organizational training costs while increasing learner retention and proficiency
3.3 Review the success of the evaluation
The success of the evaluation is that the employee performance related to organizational
objective. There are different ways of success the evaluation of tanning which is -
Increase retention - Training programme helps to new employee as Sainsbury provide proper
training to new employees. it helps to reduce the employee turnover because If new employees
feels that they have no opportunity and company cannot provide the proper training so they
feel unsupported and not trained for the job, they are more likely to leave within their first 90
days.
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Improved sales result - Training and development programme provide the opportunity to new
as well old employee as they build their knowledge and skills. Thus, Sainsbury provide the best
training to their employee that how to manage all the activities and produce the product to satisfy
the customer it helps to increase the sales and demand of the product (Muda and Erlina, 2019).
Improved morale – Training programme help to improve the morale because employee able to
take responsibility and when they do they work effectively as result all the leaders and manager
are impress and they give the opportunity to the employees so it directly impact on the morale of
the employees. Thus high morale enhance the productivity and probability of Sainsbury.
Customer satisfaction - Training and development programme enhance the motivation, skills,
knowledge among the employees that how to make the product in order to satisfy the customer.
Organization can conduct the research that which types of needs and wants of the customer and
then identify the actual needs of customer so, manager of Sainsbury evaluate the training
according to the research.
TASK 4
4.1
Training and development is the process of improving the knowledge and ability among
the people. Therefore, Staff who are working under different levels of departments in the
Sainsbury needs training time to time that enhance productivity and growth of the firm. Thus,
there are different types of learning methods and models that helps to organization to minimize
the cost of learning and training programme (Muda and Erlina, 2019).
The role of government in training and development programme it is - government
provides the financial helps and administrative helps to the organization. Thus, Government
support the firm for improving the knowledge and ability among the employee because when
employee are motivated, and they have knowledge about the work and industry they meet the
objective of the firm and it directly impacts on the economy because when firm generate profit it
improves the overall economy.
There are several roles of government they helps to firm for achieving the goals and objective of
the firm.
 State and local government agencies also offer assistance and advice to community
businesses (Eccles, ed.,. 2020).
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 Government also provide the tax benefits to the small firm in order to manage the cost
that helps to company for save the money.
 Government provides the financial helps to business that they easily provide the training
programme to the employees so it creates the positive impact on the economy.
Thus, there are different ways to improving the lifelong learning in the employees.
Hence, One of the most important ways that government can help Salisbury through workforce
development programme that government organize the development programme for the
employees it helps to improve career opportunity for the individual (Ferraris, Erhardt Bruschini,
2019). On the other side, many small firms who not have enough money for hire the employees.
So government give the financial helps to firms to identify their potential also many companies
who not hire the people, they do need to prepare their existing employees for future expansions
or provide additional training to old staff to increase profitability and keep workers working even
in a difficult economy(Sullivan-Taylor, 2019).. Workforce development programs essential for
every firm, so government provides the helps also government consultant services is provide the
ideas to firm that how to use and minimise the training budget in order to manage the cost.
4.2 Explain how the development of the competency movement has impacted on the public and
private sectors.
The performance gap related caw be analysis be b competencies making firms look after
performance gap to firms. The performance of private sectors firms is best as it giving high
quality products and services. To gain lore confidence it is important to have learning as the
process that ever ends.as there is effect of growth sector the economy it is important tat the Copa
have to pa ore attention I the quality of goods they are providing I armlet. government can help
Salisbury through workforce development programme that government organize the
development programme for the employees it helps to improve career opportunity for the
individual(Muda and Erlina, 2019).. The role of government in training and development
programme it is - government provides the financial helps and administrative helps to the
organization. There are many private sector companies in the UK that they are putting their 100
efforts in the development and growth of economy of the country.
That one of them in that company is Sainsbury.in the effective movement ad improved
performance there is major contribution by the competency movement in the economy. Due to
this the productivity of the firm is improved. There is the maximum reward given to the
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