Of the need of Professional training programs in Russia

Over a decade has passed since Russia began its gradual transition to a market-economy with free enterprises. However, the apprenticeship in corporate governance is a long one,and the development of proficient corporqte management is a protracted process.

Many Russian Top managers do not understand the need of training for their employees, as they think they hired “specialists” who know it all. It is unfortunately a limited idea of Human Resource Management (a concept, by the way, still difficult to grasp for many firms). Not only the diploma’s name is misleading, but when employees spend 40 hrs per week, about 48 weeks a year, often for many years with the same employer; it is not the mere 2 or 3 years of specialization they spent at the University a long time ago that may train them for all the new challenges they now face.

Compulsory in countries such as France, very much favored by the governments of many countries, Professional training programs must be better understood in Russia.

Benefits for in-company education are on both hands:
First, employees’ benefits are number. Certainly a clear sign of acknowledgement from their superiors for their achievement, training is also an excellent opportunity to improve personal skills. Such new skills (say for instance, Financial Management or English lessons) are essential today to climb the executive ladder in large companies. While choosing between two applicants for a new job opening, the management is likely to favor the one who showed interest in constant learning, hence better prepared to face the new tasks inherent to the position. And finally, gaining knowledge, while not actively working, all at the expense of the company is rather a great way of better enjoying one’s daily work!

But employers’ benefits are also quite impressive. Large corporations may see Professional training programs as a sole way of consolidating their good governance image before their stake-holders through pure Human Resources investment. Although it is correct, it is not all. Enterprises do also increase dramatically their appeal to future employees by offering new perks and a modern face. Why not joining a company that will enable you to learn about Creativity in marketing for instance?

Such policy is also a cheap and effective way of reducing employees’ leave turnover. While attending sometimes long term Professional training programs, those employees are unlikely to look around for job openings at the company’s competitors.

The main consequence of Professional training programs is that it raises the overall level of knowledge of the company’s workforce, making it a smarter corporation. Regular training programs also help bringing new technologies and trends to an otherwise closed organization. Again, this allows the company to take advantage of new market features that may lead to securing a definite competitive advantage, often at a cost much lower than exhibiting at professional fairs or hiring consultants.

Professional training programs are proposed today by a number of organizations. Many international consulting firms have representative offices in Russia and are usually keen on presenting Professional training programs driven from their international HQs resources. Such training programs have the benefit of showcasing true international vision, particularly useful in subjects such as Marketing or International Sales. Professional training programs lectured by scholars through education organizations, however, may be favored over ”experienced, professional” trainers when it concerns doing business in Russia as the former have a more neutral and independent vision of the specific field. Such status is acquired through continuous professional development intrinsic to their position as they regularly attend conferences, work on some scrutinized publications or meet on a regular basis with leading corporations in Russia when drafting case studies.

Professional training programs provided by educational organizations is also a great opportunity to set up cooperation agreements that may increase the brand awareness of the corporation before the students as well as attracting future enthusiastic managers or staff members.

Education organizations may also greatly benefit from such Professional training programs and not only regarding the needed extra income that it brings to the teachers. The same teachers, who become a trainer once at the company premises, have much to learn from interactions fostered by questions & answers sessions with attending professionals. On top of that, such Professional training programs are an exclusive way to draft real-life case studies that may be later presented to university’s students but also present the teachers with an exciting way to strengthen their resume.

As you probably understood, Professional training programs have a bright future in Russia. It is an exact example of win-win situation where the employees, the company’s management, the trainers and the Educational organizations all benefit from it.

For further advice or questions, do not hesitate to contact the Executive Education Center of IBS-Plekhanov where we will be pleased to meet you.

By Jerome Dumetz, Head of the Executive Education Centre, Russian Economic Academy n.a. Plekhanov