Transformations  in
Business & Economics

The Changing Role of Learning and Training in Polish Companies
Aldona Andrzejczak

ABSTRACT. This paper analyses major trends in training functions within organisations and briefly describes changes in the approach to staff training in Poland.

As an instrument of analysing different approaches to training, the model of four types of corporate training has been applied: traditional, shaping, informal and innovating. Results of various studies, conducted in Poland, as well as a questionnaire survey conducted by the author in 37 Polish companies in 2001-2003, were used to examine the training market and corporate training policies.

For the majority of companies in Poland, the traditional approach is most typical, which means that goals of training have a reactive character and that the instructive way of delivery is most common. However, most Polish companies have adopted systematic procedures of planning and implementing training.

The study results show that the company size and the presence of foreign capital have a significant impact on the scope, character and costs of training.

KEYWORDS: human resource development, employee training, learning organisation.