Invert your training program: have applicants train themselves before you hire

ABSTRACT

The University at Buffalo's Public Computing unit had a problem: training consultants was both expensive and time consuming, but was still not achieving the results we needed. Applicants were poorly motivated or lacked the aptitude for technical training and required remedial training to bring them up to par. To remedy this at the beginning rather than the end of the hiring cycle when it was too late, we came up with the idea of training applicants and giving them the resources to train themselves before we hired them and then using their success at training themselves as one of the determinants in hiring them as computing consultants.We found that, generally, inverting our training program resulted in substantial savings (both in student wages and staff time), produced a higher quality candidate, and created a competitive environment that motivated candidates to learn and attracted more qualified candidates to the position.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Staffing

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Training

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management, Performance

Keywords:
consultants, self-training, staff, students, training