Should organizations cut back on learning and development intiatives (reducing human capital potential) in tough economic times, or increase training?

Should organizations cut back on learning and development initiatives (reducing their human capital potential) in tough economic times, or increase training and development initiatives?

In the creation of a learning culture one cannot look at the right time to train or the wrong time to train. It is about the LEARNING in either case. Is the student ready, willing and able? Do the supervisors support the initiative in such a manner that they will allocate the time off from normal work to allow the student to learn.

The right time if there is one for LEARNING is all of the time. I dread and fear the organization that says, "We are too busy to train." One can only imagine the disaster that group is heading for. It is like the vehicle that is on a path directly for a cliff without wings to allow it to soar. They will crash. This is not always because training was not provided – more likely is the case that the structure was in place to train and the supervisors grumbled that we were short staffed and could not spare the time of for attending the session.

As they fly off the edge of the cliff it is not the correct time to deploy the wings and read the instructions on how to fly. Yes there will be some value. It should not be the expectation that the value would be as great as if there were a commitment to an ongoing initiative.

Taking our thoughts in another direction we have heard the organizations that say, "As the leader of this company it is my job to develop my people and train them." Perhaps some examination of the leaders role needs to be kept in perspective. When we go off the cliff having that leader at the helm is what most people will want. Yes the leader should be involved in the LEARNING with her or his people. She or he should not be the only one creating the learning culture. Everyone is involved in a learning communities cultural development.

Is now the right time to invest? Yes just as it is important all of the time to invest. Measured development is a part of a learning culture and must be ongoing. On should never give it up if they expect a return. Just as it is difficult for people to invest in a down market now is the greatest time in our nations and the world’s history to invest in our future. Learn now and always. Invest in human capital now, as you always should. For those that have done it regularly there will be a greater return, for those that start to now just keep doing it and for those that never did and never will enjoy your flight off the cliff.

As a final note does one need question the experience, learning culture and safety expertise of the US Airways captain and crew and their training to land their plane in the Hudson River saving every passenger?

Provide training and learning now and allow learning to flourish earn now and forever. Never give in!