POSCO: Tailor-made training

Challenge

Company training at POSCO used to be given only in classes. This was not always effective because it was too inflexible to meet everyone’s needs.

Action

In 2000, a new self-directed learning system provided personalised, more convenient courses. Along with personal learning plans for employees, the company provides optional training courses, for which the employee can register online.

In 2005, the community of practice (CoP) programme, an online value- and knowledge-sharing programme became available. It has the format of a online social network (like Facebook), but the content is work-related. Employees join and share ideas for their tasks. Members can add notes to posts, providing feedback that is useful to the person posting an idea in advancing it.

Managers and supervisors still take more traditional courses but the CoP helps to pass on core values and general management progress to workers directly.

Outcome

In 2008, programmes provided 150,000 man-hours of training over 349 courses.

Learners report increasing satisfaction with the courses, rating them at almost 90%.

Last updated: June 2010