Thinking outside the training box.

• Position: Up front: news, trends & analysis - Mentoring, e-learning - Brief Article

Imagine being given a new job with little instruction and no assistance or support -- in essence, no training. With today's shaky economy and tight job market, cost-effective training has become more vital than ever. More information management and technology departments are taking advantage of training programs that heavily use technology and mentors.

Mentoring

"[M]entoring offers significant advantages over traditional training," says Lisa Kerz, a principal solutions developer with Pinnacle Decision Systems, a computer consulting and software development firm in Connecticut. "I think companies get more bang for their buck by agreeing to allow at least one employee to be mentored." Kerz has found that people who are mentored learn more thoroughly and retain their new knowledge better because the training is usually one-on-one and ongoing.

Because information management and technology tend to be highly technical fields, training will be most beneficial if the mentor is personable and approachable, experts say.

E-learning

E-learning has become a favored option for companies wanting to minimize travel...