The importance of informal learning at work

Introduction

Informal learning is the one of the main driver of human capital development in the workplace. In the modern world impact of digitization people use different learning systems for increase their knowledge, skills and competencies. As per 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 per cent of what they know about their job informally.

Global trends of informal learning

Source: IZA world of labor

Changes in the workplace and in society have spurred renewed interest in informal learning in the workplace. Due to increasing of global competition Organizations leads to restructure, right size, adopt Justin-time production methods, globalize production and sales, outsource, decentralize, and flatten hierarchies. In short, in order to respond to rapidly shifting environments, and enabled by technology and global communication, Organizations seek to be nimble, adaptive responders to their environment. Lack of knowledge may explain why most firms do not have adequate human resource management strategies to optimize informal learning in the workplace.

Source: IZA world of labor

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. . Informal learning is intentional, but not highly structured. Informal learning strategies designed and implemented by HR department. IKEA is one of the best furniture retail Company in global context 128.000 employees 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. These important factors have developed competitor advantage and higher performance. Company was successful today with impact of informal learning in an Organization and leads to innovation and higher performance.

Source: 70:20:10 model

Benefits of informal learning

·         It can take place anywhere at any time

·         It uses a variety of methods

·         It contributes to lifelong learning

·         It is flexible

·         It meets the learner where they are at

Informal learning in the ABC pharmaceutical

 Most of the Sri Lankan Organizations have been familiar with formal learning. Formal training's, workshops, outbound training's and brain storming sessions are happening in a formal manner. The effect of HR management practices on informal learning is also positively related to the feedback employees receive at work from their co-workers and supervisors. ABC Company has been implementing informal learning methods such as mentoring, coaching, increasing responsibility etc.. Because informal learning is more cost effective and easy with modern technology. Further practicing informal learning in a Company can maintain competitor advantage and thought that company will achieve future goals. 

References

Armstrong. M, (2009). Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. 11 edition. London:  Kogan, P.666.

 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 22th April 2020]

70:20:10 Model. [Online]

https://www.google.com/searchsxsrf=ALeKk03Vbt2YKpM2IIproKxTe6ZXODw9A:1588176629401&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=70:20:10+model+pdf&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWzNfgo7pAhWdyDgGHcYXCdsQ7Al6BAgKEC0&biw=1353&bih=648#imgrc=nxBH5t1K03LXzM [Accessed 22th April 2020]