Training is often viewed as an expense. A company needs to take employees away from their normal work, pay for the training, and then allow time for those employees to put what they have learned into practice. However, the cost of not training can be much harder to see.

Skills gaps do not always appear as obvious problems. They can show up as employees taking longer than necessary to complete a task, repeatedly asking colleagues for assistance, relying on outdated methods, or avoiding tools and features they are unfamiliar with. Over time, these small inefficiencies can affect productivity, work quality, employee morale and, ultimately, the cost of doing business.

From my experience working with training administration at MECAD Systems, I have seen how training can benefit not only the business, but the people within it. Training is an investment in the capabilities of a company, but it is also an investment in the individual.

How does training benefit a company?

The most obvious benefit of training is improved performance. When employees understand the tools, systems and processes they work with, they can complete their work more efficiently and effectively. This can help reduce errors, rework and unnecessary delays.

Training can also help businesses make better use of the technology they already have. Software and systems often contain features that employees may never discover simply by using them day to day. Structured training gives employees the opportunity to learn these tools properly rather than relying entirely on trial and error.

There is also a less obvious benefit: reducing a company’s dependence on individual employees.

Most workplaces have someone who is “the person who knows how to do that”. While experience is valuable, relying too heavily on one person can create a problem when that employee is unavailable, leaves the company, or becomes overwhelmed with requests.  

For example, we have encountered customers where one experienced employee became the person everyone relied on for certain SOLIDWORKS tasks. When that employee was unavailable, others struggled to continue without assistance. Training additional team members helped spread that knowledge across the team, reducing that dependency and giving more employees the confidence to handle these tasks themselves. Developing skills across a wider team helps distribute knowledge and creates a more capable and resilient workforce.

Training can also contribute to a stronger workplace culture. When a company invests in an employee’s development, it demonstrates that their skills and future are valued. This can help build motivation and engagement, while giving employees a clearer opportunity to develop within the organisation.

Training does not only improve an employee’s current role. It can also prepare them for their next one.

When businesses develop their existing employees, they have the opportunity to fill more senior or specialised positions internally. An employee who already understands the company’s processes, systems and culture may require less time to adapt to a new position than someone joining from outside.

For the employee, this creates a pathway for professional development. Learning a new system, strengthening an existing skill or gaining a recognised certification can make it possible to take on responsibilities that previously seemed out of reach.

This is one of the reasons I believe training should not be viewed as something that only happens when an employee is struggling. Training can also be proactive. It can prepare people for opportunities before those opportunities arise.

What does training give the employee?

The benefits of training are not limited to the organisation paying for it.

As employees, we want to be capable at what we do. We want our work to be accurate, to meet the required standard, and to know that we can handle the challenges that come with our role.

When someone does not have the knowledge or skills required to complete their work efficiently, it can create a cycle of frustration. Tasks take longer, deadlines become more difficult to meet, mistakes can increase, and the pressure can build. This can affect self-assurance and motivation, even when the employee is capable and willing to do the work.

Training can help break that cycle.

In my experience working with customers from a variety of industries and backgrounds, I have seen that people benefit from training at very different stages of their careers. Some arrive with little or no previous experience and use training to build a foundation for entering the workplace. Others have been using the software for years and attend training to strengthen their existing knowledge, discover features they were not aware of, and find more efficient ways of working.

I’ve seen customers start with SOLIDWORKS Essentials with relatively little experience and return later for advanced courses as their responsibilities within the business grew. What begins as learning the basics can become part of a much longer journey of professional development.

Learning how to use a system properly can turn uncertainty into competence. Understanding a process can reduce the need to constantly ask for assistance. Developing a technical skill can make an employee more comfortable taking on a difficult task.

This is one of the most valuable aspects of training. It is not simply about knowing more. It is about feeling more capable of applying what you know. Training can also encourage people to take ownership of their own development. Once you experience the benefits of learning something new, it can become easier to recognise other areas where you could improve.

The road to CSWA: training as a personal investment

Training can provide a pathway towards recognised certification. For someone developing their SOLIDWORKS skills, the Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) provides a tangible milestone and an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge they have developed.

We’ve seen learners begin with foundational training such as SOLIDWORKS Essentials and then continue developing their skills through our more advanced courses and certification. The value isn’t only the certificate itself; it’s the knowledge and confidence built along the way. For an individual, investing in training can strengthen their technical capabilities, build confidence and contribute to future career opportunities.

Staying current in an industry that does not stand still

Technology, software, processes and industry standards continue to develop. Experience remains extremely valuable, but experience and up-to-date knowledge are not the same thing.

For employees, continuing to learn helps keep their skills relevant. For businesses, it helps ensure that employees are able to keep pace with changes in technology and industry requirements.

This is particularly important in technical environments where software continues to introduce new features, tools and workflows. Training provides an opportunity to learn what has changed, build on existing knowledge and discover more effective ways of working.

Training is an investment in people

Training should not be viewed simply as a cost that a company has to absorb.

It is an investment in the ability of its people to perform today, while also preparing them for tomorrow.

For businesses, effective training can contribute to:

• Improved productivity and quality
• Stronger knowledge sharing and internal talent
• Greater employee capability and retention
• Skills that keep pace with industry changes

For employees, training can provide:

• Greater competence and capability
• New skills and career opportunities
• A pathway towards professional development and certification

Ultimately, training is not about reaching a point where you know everything. It is about creating a mindset of continuous improvement.

Whether you are a business looking to strengthen your workforce or an individual looking to take the next step in your career, there is value in asking a simple question:

What could I learn today that would make me better at what I do tomorrow?

Ready to take the next step? Explore our SOLIDWORKS training courses.