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World War II - Systematic Training
During World War II, the number of individuals enlisting to join the war effort left empty jobs in many industries. The need to fill these jobs created a need for training and learning in the workplace. A shortage of vocational instructors led to the implementation of systematic training that is characterized by supervisors carrying out the training process for those who are under their direction. -
American Society of Training Directors (ASTD) Formed
In 1942, American Society of Training Directors (ASTD), now known as the Association for Talent Development (ATD) formed during a meeting of the American Petroleum Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. The development of leadership in the training function determined the need for management development programs (Estep, 2008) Estep, T. (2008). Chapter 1: The evolution of the training profession. ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals, n/a. -
Individualized Instruction/Reinforcement Behavior
In the 1950s, companies wanted a way to train people efficiently and reduce expense while still getting high instructional value. Individualized instruction became prominent, which replaced teachers with materials that broke the learning into small steps with an activity afterward to check comprehension. This and reinforcement behavior research opened the door for different methods of practicing new skills. -
Organization Development
Organization development is formed which is a values-based approach to systems change in communities and organizations. The first efforts of computer-based learning were implemented through the use of teaching machines. -
The Case Method
The 1970s brought out a new method of training using case studies to create knowledge and develop adult learners. This decade also resulted in setting objectives for students, and Malcolm Knowles made his theories about adult learners public. -
Various Shifts in Training Industry
The 1980s gave way to many shifts in the training and development industry. ASTD published books on the topic and also made its first attempt to define training and development. Women also made their mark on the training industry representing 47% of ASTD members by 1989. -
E-learning
E-learning quickly became the training trend of the 1990s because it allowed greater accessibility to training by minimizing travel cost, time off of work to attend training seminars, and the facilities needed to host training. -
Present Day Training
Behaviorism continues to have a strong influence on training and development. New models of instructional design have been created, such as SAM. Measurement in the field of training and development is stronger allowing training departments to improve their methods and prove their worth.
