Multi-skill development programmes

As a means of developing cover for several jobs, this can be very effective. It requires each person to pass on their skills to one other and to learn the skills of that person, to allow them to cover each other’s jobs. Over a period of time, people in a team may all learn each other’s roles at a basic level at least. In some teams multi-skilling is an expectation. It is an excellent way to bring people in the department together and is likely to create real understanding of other people’s issues. However, unless everyone goes through a coaching skills programme first, the results and process can be very inconsistent.