MGT3HRD - Human Resource Development Report on Woolworths Ltd

This report identifies and analyzes human resource development (HRD) issues within Woolworths, an Australian supermarket chain, focusing on challenges such as inefficient training programs, high employee turnover, and the associated costs. The report proposes solutions based on a training and HRD model, encompassing assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation phases. Recommendations include implementing a structured on-the-floor training program with written guidelines, offering attractive employee benefits and incentives to improve retention, and evaluating the effectiveness of training initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational goals. The aim is to enhance organizational effectiveness by addressing these HRD challenges, ultimately leading to improved productivity and reduced costs for Woolworths. Desklib offers a wealth of similar solved assignments and past papers to aid students in their studies.

Running head: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Woolworths
Human Resource Development
9/19/2018

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 1
Executive Summary
Human resource development is one of the significant constituents of evolution and economic
development. It can take place at a national level and firm level. The development of HRD of
a nation is reliant on the administration and state rules, while at the micro or firm level HRD
can take place by training and well-organized operation of resources. The aim of this report
was to identify the human resource development issues in Woolworths Company and it has
been identified that a company needs to manage its cost and time while training the
employees.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................1
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Overview of Woolworths.......................................................................................................3
Issues in Woolworths.............................................................................................................3
Training and Human Resource Development model.............................................................4
Assessment.........................................................................................................................4
Design................................................................................................................................4
Implementation..................................................................................................................5
Evaluation..........................................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................7

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 3
Introduction
Human resource is desired to be developed according to the alterations in the external
environment of the business; hence, human resource development helps to accept such
alterations by the growth of present human resource in terms of knowledge and skills (Swart,
Mann and Brown, 2012). The report is being presented in order to highlight the issues of
human resource development in Woolworths Company and how these issues affect the
productivity or overall organization. Besides this, with the help of training and human
resource development, model-training interventions will be framed and conducted.
Overview of Woolworths
Woolworths is a supermarket chain of Australia managed by Woolworths Limited. The
company was established in 1924, along with Coles company forms a duopoly in the
supermarket industry of Australia covering approx. 80% of the market share. Woolworths is
specialized in vending groceries such as meat, vegetables, packaged goods, fruits, etc.
(Woolworths Group, 2018)
Issues in Woolworths
A business like Woolworths is bound to deal with numerous challenges in the management of
human resource. Both employees and employers experience hurdles and these issues should
be resolved at the earliest to form a strong work environment so that efficiency is not affected
(Bamberger, Biron and Meshoulam, 2014). It has been analyzed that the administration of the
human resource department spends a lot of time in offering training and describing the work
to the employee this results in wastage of time as well as resources (Buller and McEvoy,
2012). In the sector of retail, most of the workforce comprises people who directly deal with
the consumer and follow their requirements. Therefore, many times their employees are

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 4
aware of their job and do not need briefing. Besides this, the selection of the employee is
another issue for the department of human resource because of the high retail turnover
(Hendry, 2012). Frequently, workers quit the job due to receiving better job opportunity. This
results in huge losses as it has spent money and time on the training. Therefore, it is very
essential for Woolworths to hold the precious employees within the organization by offering
attractive benefits and incentives.
Training and Human Resource Development model
Assessment - This area of the framework development talks about the type of training is
required in the business. Once it has been defined, the business can set the objectives of
learning to evaluate at the end of training (Wilson, 2005). As the employees turnover ratio is
high in the Australian supermarket industry, which results in wastage of money and time
invested by Woolworths in the training and development of its employees.
Design - This step of the framework talks about designing the solution plan that could help
the organization to deal with the problems (McLagan, 2017). In order to resolve the training
issues in Woolworths, it could be suggested that company needs to properly plan a one day
on the floor-training program in which employee will be provided some general guidelines
and procedures followed within the organization. After this, he/she will be asked to observe
co-employees working and follow the procedure. Besides this, employees will be allowed to
get the procedure guidelines in written so that they must not disturb other employees and
Assessment Design Implementation Evaluation

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 5
reduce the chances of mistakes. In addition, considering the employee turnover ratio the
management of the company needs to frame some attractive perquisites and incentives for the
employees.
For successful designing as well as the implementation of these strategies a company need
not to hire an expert for training, an existing employee and store manager can provide a
proper training and guidance to the hired one.
Implementation - Once the training program is developed, the next step is to consider how it
will be implemented in the organization. Initially, to implement the new plans and strategies
it is very essential to communicate it will staff, managers, and other departments involved in
the procedure (Richman, 2015). Woolworths need to communicate with the store managers,
employees, and top management of the training program design and new incentive policies. If
all the employees and managers provided their positive feedback then the program can be
implemented successfully.
Evaluation - Evaluation talks about determining whether the program framed for the training
was worth the effort or not and what developments are needed to make it more operative
(Topno, 2012). Training evaluation is very essential because observing the functions and
activities of training is significant to institute its financial and social benefits. Evaluation of
training at the workplace can help a trainer in learning about the influence of training. It is
significant to apprehend the determination of evaluation before scheduling it and selecting
approaches to do it (Topno, 2012). The responsible department in the Woolworths Company
needs to evaluate the results of the training program and additional incentives to reduce the
employee turnover ratio. Through the evaluation process, the company will also realize the
scope of enhancement in the process for further development.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 6
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it could be said that Woolworths is dealing with some training and
development issues that are affecting its productivity and growth in the industry. The issues
such as waste of time and cost involved the training of the employees and high employee
turnover are raising hurdles in the direction of the company. In order to solve these issues, the
above report has suggested some strategies that will not only save the time and money of the
company but will reduce the employee turnover. The strategy has been discussed through the
model of training and human resource development that is comprised of four different steps
and must be followed for positive results.

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References
Bamberger, P.A., Biron, M., and Meshoulam, I. (2014) Human Resource Strategy:
Formulation, Implementation, and Impact 2nd ed. U.S: Routledge.
Buller, P.F., and McEvoy, G.M. (2012) Strategy, human resource management, and
performance: Sharpening line of sight. Human resource management review, 22(1), pp.43-
56.
Hendry, C. (2012) Human Resource Management 2nd ed. U.S: Routledge.
McLagan, P.A. (2017) Models for HRD practice. Training and Development Journal, 41(9),
49-60.
Richman, N. (2015) Human resource management and human resource development:
Evolution and contributions. Creighton Journal of Interdisciplinary Leadership, 1(2), 120-
129.
Swart, J., Mann, C., and Brown, S. (2012) Human Resource Development 2nd ed. U.S:
Routledge.
Topno, H. (2012) Evaluation of Training and Development: An Analysis of Various Models.
Journal of Business and Management, 5(2), 16-22.
Wilson, J.P. (2005) Human Resource Development: Learning & Training for Individuals &
Organizations 2nd ed. U.S: Kogan Page Publishers.
Woolworths Group (2018) Woolworths Supermarkets [online]. Available from
https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/page/about-us/our-brands/supermarkets/Woolworths
[accessed 19 September 2018]

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