The importance of training and development: Training and development is considered to be one of the significant strategy tool of human

resource management. It enhances the organisation to develop skilful employees. The skilful employees are considered to be the prime asset for the company to serve the customers with their level best effort. At present competitive business world especially in context of UK retail sector the organisations are striving for excellence. In order to develop positive relationship with the customers and to improve the level of customer satisfaction training and development of employees is considered to be one of the crucial issues. In order to achieve the organisational goal and to create competitive advantage the comprehensive training and development programme focuses upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the employees. In order to confront the challenges of !st"century human resource managers has emphasised upon the need and importance of training and development in modern organisation #$ryman, and $ell,%%&'.

Training and development in Sainsbury's: (ainsbury)s is one of the leading brand name in UK supermarket chain. The company is continuously developing the skill is and knowledge of its employees by initiating appropriate training and development policies. *uring the recruitment and selection stage the company strongly focuses upon the existing skills of the employees .In order to e+uipped the employees of the right skill, knowledge and abilities and to enhance them to complete their designated ,ob responsibilities training and development plays a significant role. In order to obtain the best possible outcome from the employees it is essential for (ainsbury)s to provide them with the re+uired training. In addition (tavrou et al# %%&' added that focusing upon the right type of training and to continuously update the employees with appropriate skills and expertise is considered to be one of the important function of human resource management. At present competitive business world in context of retail sector to establish a leading position in the current marketplace it is important for (ainsbury)s plc to become more customer focused. It is only possible by providing necessary training towards the employees. In order to gain competitive advantage over the other key market players and to provide better service +uality for the existing and potential customers there is no other alternative that training and development of the employees. In addition to develop a positive relationship between the employee and the management training and development process plays a

significant role. It enhances the employees to participate in the decision"making process of the organisation. Therefore it is possible for the management. -n the other hand to motivate the employees towards their designated ,ob responsibilities and to creative favourable working environment training and development process plays a significant role. It enables the management to evaluate the employee performance. In addition to create employee ,ob satisfaction and to help them to balance between the work and family life it is crucial to provide effective training and development policies. (ainsbury)s plc is continuously updating its training and development policies to develop its employees in different layers of management that ranges from the *epartment manager, supervisor and the shopfloor assistant along with the checkout employees #(ainsbury.s, %!/'.

Reference $ryman, A. and $ell, 0., # %%&', $usiness 1esearch 2ethods, nd edition, -xford3 -xford University press.
(tavrou, 0., $rewster, 4., and 4haralambous, 4. # %%5', 67uman 1esource 2anagement as a 4ompetitive Tool in 0urope,. working paper, 8ondon3 7enley 4ollege.

(ainsbury.s# %!/' available at3 www.sainsburys.co.uk 9accessed date3%:.%;. %!/<