transfer of learning

Advanced 👥 Human Resources

Definition

The application of skills and knowledge gained in training to actual job performance, measuring whether that expensive workshop actually changed behavior. It's the difference between completing the course and actually using what you learned back at your desk.

Example Usage

Our post-training assessment showed poor transfer of learning, indicating employees understood the concepts but weren't applying them to client interactions.

Origin

Rooted in educational psychology, formalized for workplace learning in the 1980s-90s

Fun Fact

Studies estimate that only 10-20% of learning transfers to on-the-job behavior change, making most training spectacularly inefficient.

Source: Training and development literature

Related Terms

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