Recent studies find that much of the performance of newly recruited employees is driven by learning by doing or learning from peers or supervisors in the workplace. Informal learning at work seems to be relevant for all age groups, although it drives more of the performance of younger workers. Informal learning is far more important for workers’ human capital development than formal training courses and since digitization, workers use different learning systems to increase their knowledge, skills and competencies. As stated by Armstrong (2009) Informal learning is experiential learning. It takes place while people are learning on-the-job as they go along. Most learning does not take place in formal training programmers. People can learn 70% of what they know about their job informally.
(Source: IZA World of Labor,2015)
Global Example
IKEA is one of the best furniture
retail Company in global context where 128.000 employees with 267 stores in 25
countries. IKEA had been practiced formal learning methods, but later company
identified and implemented informal learning such as self-directed learning,
networking, coaching, mentoring, and performance planning.
Conclusion
Keeping workers’ skills up to
date through informal learning is important for their employability because
skill demands frequently change in response to technological and organizational
innovations. Though informal learning is not only cultivating work knowledge
and skills, developing productivity for the production and services, but also
rather impacts on modification of employees’ innovative ideas, attitude and
behavior for performing work. These will be developed competitive advantage which
help for higher performance of the organization.
References
Armstrong. M, (2009). Handbook of
Human Resource Management Practice. 11 edition. London: Kogan, P.666.
De Grip, A. The importance of
informal learning at work. IZA World of Labor 2015: 162 doi:
10.15185/izawol.162
De Grip. A, (2015). ‘The
importance of informal learning’. IZA World of labor, 10.15185/izawol.162
Knowledge management strategy in
IKEA. [Online] https://www.academia.edu/23683039/Knowledge_management_strategy_in_IKEA
[Accessed 5th December 2021]
Dear Manoj a very good and an informative article . It is true that informal learning is of high priority. Learning through experience can also be drawn into your point. I agree that self learning (informal) from my personal experience have a profounding impact. Thank you for your article Manoj!
ReplyDeleteDear Manoj. Thank you for your article. Learning and staff development are one of the main strategies of any organization. Also want to provide staff with all of the tools they need to be successful in their employment. But formal training and development isn't the only option. Informal learning allows employees to improve their abilities and keep learning outside of the usual training session or other development settings.
ReplyDeleteGood article. Informal learners are often highly motivated to learn. He will learn from someone who has more experience than him. When a company have a good culture and good set of employees definitely company also will be beneficial because there are no cost for employees Informal learning.
ReplyDeleteDear Manoj, thank you for an informative article. Informal learning is highly effective learning practiced in manufacturing too with experience shared from supervisor to subordinate employee.
ReplyDeleteInformal learning can be defined as any activity that takes place outside of traditional classrooms or presentations, but it might be related to them, such as discussions that continue or are generated by shared formal learning sessions. Informal learning helps employees better engage with required material and retain critical content needed to help them do their jobs better.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very unique topic that you have picked up. Informal learning always helps since experiential learning is the key to become a subject matter expert in a process. Practice always helps employees to perform a task efficiently and effectively in the long run. A very insightful article.
ReplyDeleteindividuals who regularly practice informal learning are often the most valuable workers a company can have. They tend to think outside the box, exercise better problem-solving skills, and are more self-motivated.
ReplyDeleteYou will see that informal learning allows us to fulfill our curiosity while also improving our knowledge base, acquiring a new technique, or honing an existing talent. It is unplanned and can occur whenever the learner notices anything that piques their interest or will bring value to their employment.Thank you
ReplyDeletevery good article thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete