The effective transfer of managerial training to the work environment

Abstract

Experience and previous research indicate that the effective transfer of management training to the work environment requires a holistic approach, embracing several important factors. These include interpersonal skills, resistance to change, mentoring, attitudes towards training, and organizational climate and culture. During this investigation a brief, flexible treatment programme was drawn up. This involved discussing the application of managerial skills with trainees who had completed a management training course some time ago, in the presence of their supervisors. Other activities included in the treatment ranged from retraining to psychotherapy. The treatment was applied to 32 trainees. Some three month's later a role play situation and questionnaire were used to assess their application of the skills taught during management training in their work, in comparison with an untreated control group. The results indicate that the treatment programme resulted in much improved transfer of managerial training to the work environment.