Paying for capability.
WHAT TRAINING COSTS
Fees, for external provision Time away from work Trainer time, for internal provision Materials Travel
WHY TIME IS USUALLY THE LARGEST COST
It is not invoiced and it is therefore not counted.
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Total cost, including time.
WHAT TO WEIGH IT AGAINST
The cost of the problem it addresses.
WHAT THAT COST INCLUDES
Errors and rework Lost customers Incidents Supervision required Inability to cover absence
WHY THAT COMPARISON
It converts training from an expense into a decision.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE WITH LIMITED BUDGET
Safety and compliance requirements Single points of failure Errors that cost most Skills needed for planned work
WHAT COSTS LITTLE
Internal training by capable people Documented procedures Structured on-the-job training People teaching each other
WHY THOSE ARE UNDERUSED
They are not visible as training, so nobody plans them.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Time for them, protected.
WHY PROTECTED
They are displaced by operations otherwise.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Whether suppliers provide training.
WHY
Equipment and product suppliers frequently train at no cost and are not asked.
WHAT TO ASK THEM
What training they offer.
WHAT TO REVIEW
What was spent, and what resulted.
