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    WebinarResources 2009 60 min

    The Proper Way to Teach Work Readiness

    There are hundreds, if not thousands, of venues teaching work readiness. However, in survey after survey, and focus group after focus group, business owners and senior management still complain about the work readiness skills of their new (and existing) employees. This is because in the vast majority of venues, work readiness training is performed incorrectly. In fact, a member of the National Skills Standard Board, who was familiar with many of the work readiness training programs being conducted throughout the United States, commented that many programs “do more harm than good”. In this webinar, Jay Goldberg, who developed a work readiness training program called the best in the United States by a member of the National Skills Standard Board in January of 2003, will discuss the importance of work readiness training, how to evaluate existing work readiness training programs, how to construct an effective work readiness training program, and the management philosophy that best supports a harmonious work environment. Remember, the objectives of workplace training are to improve productivity and reduce costs, so training is much more than just employee development.

    Presenter

    JG

    Jay Goldberg

    • The effectiveness of, and proper time to use different training vehicles. • The difference between demonstrated-competency-based training and assessment-based training. • The attributes of an effective work readiness training program. • The topics that should be included in a work readiness training program. • How to evaluate and choose/customize/implement the right formal work readiness training program for your company. • An informal approach to teach work readiness in a busy workplace. • A management philosophy to help get the best out of your workers.

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Many employers are dissatisfied with the work readiness skills of their new and existing employees.
    • 2.The majority of work readiness training is performed incorrectly, with some programs doing more harm than good.
    • 3.Effective work readiness training programs should be designed to improve productivity and reduce organizational costs.
    • 4.Jay Goldberg developed a work readiness program recognized as the best in the U.S. by a member of the National Skills Standard Board in 2003.
    • 5.A supportive management philosophy is crucial for fostering a harmonious work environment where skills can be applied.
    • 6.This webinar provides a framework for evaluating and constructing effective work readiness training.

    The Persistent Challenge of Work Readiness

    Despite a proliferation of work readiness training programs, business owners and senior management consistently report dissatisfaction with the skills of both new and existing employees. This suggests a fundamental disconnect between the training provided and the skills required in the modern workplace.

    Why Most Training Fails

    According to the presenter, Jay Goldberg, the issue lies in the execution. The vast majority of work readiness training is performed incorrectly. The problem is so significant that a member of the National Skills Standard Board commented that many such programs in the United States "do more harm than good."

    A Blueprint for Effective Work Readiness Training

    This session moves beyond highlighting the problem to offer a clear, actionable framework for improvement. Jay Goldberg, whose own program was lauded as "the best in the United States" by a National Skills Standard Board member, outlines a better approach.

    How to Evaluate and Build Programs

    Leaders can learn to critically assess their current training initiatives and understand the key components of an effective program. The webinar provides guidance on:

    • Evaluating existing programs: Develop methods to accurately measure the real-world impact of your current training.
    • Constructing a new program: Learn the key strategies and components required to build a robust and effective work readiness curriculum from the ground up.

    The Role of Management & Culture

    Training does not happen in a vacuum. A key part of the solution is implementing a management philosophy that supports a harmonious and productive work environment. This culture is essential for reinforcing the skills learned and ensuring they are applied effectively.

    Connecting Training to Business Outcomes

    The ultimate goal of any workplace training should be to deliver measurable business results. This webinar emphasizes that the core objectives of work readiness programs must be to improve productivity and reduce costs, moving beyond the sole focus of employee development. Leaders will learn how to align training investments with these tangible metrics.

    This session addresses the persistent challenge of employees lacking essential work readiness skills, despite numerous training initiatives. It explores why many current work readiness programs fall short and even cause more harm than good, offering insights into developing truly effective training. The principles discussed remain relevant for any organization struggling to prepare its workforce for contemporary demands.

    What you'll learn

    • The critical importance of work readiness training for business success.
    • Methods to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of existing work readiness programs.
    • Key components and strategies for constructing a robust and impactful work readiness training program.
    • A management philosophy that supports and enhances a harmonious and productive work environment.
    • How to align training objectives with improved productivity and cost reduction.

    Who this webinar is for

    This webinar is ideal for:

    • HR professionals and talent management specialists.
    • Learning and development leaders.
    • Business owners and senior management.
    • Anyone involved in designing or implementing employee training programs.
    • Leaders seeking to address skill gaps and improve workforce performance.

    Why it matters now

    Even with the evolution of workplaces, the fundamental need for employees to possess strong work readiness skills remains paramount. The continuous feedback from employers about skill deficiencies highlights an ongoing systemic issue in how these skills are developed. As Jay Goldberg noted, many programs are ineffective. Understanding how to correctly teach work readiness is crucial for organizations looking to build resilient, adaptive, and highly productive teams in a competitive global landscape.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can apply the insights from this session by:

    • Critically reviewing their current work readiness initiatives against the principles of effective training discussed.
    • Identifying gaps in employee skills and designing targeted programs that address real-world needs, moving beyond generic approaches.
    • Implementing a management philosophy that actively encourages and supports skill development and fosters a positive work culture.
    • Measuring the impact of training not just on employee development, but on tangible metrics like productivity and operational costs.
    • Championing a continuous learning environment where work readiness is seen as an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
    • Utilizing the evaluation techniques shared by Jay Goldberg to ensure training investments yield desired outcomes.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on Talent Management. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Jay Goldberg's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for resources inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about Talent Management.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.