The differences between employee development and employee training can often be blurred because of

the multiple activities associated with each process. Both are similar in that they help employees discover

their strengths, identify and improve their weaknesses, and build skills to perform their roles efficiently

and work well with others. Both processes also help companies keep talented employees, compete in a

changing economy, and meet the challenges associated with technological advances and global

markets. There are differences between the two, however, and the primary difference has to do with

orientation: While training is focused on helping employees improve in their current jobs, development is

geared to help employees prepare for the future of their careers.

Read the following scenario about an employee at a fictional technology company who decides to take

charge of his own career. You will have a chance to distinguish between each of these processes,

training and development, and answer questions about elements associated with each approach.

Read the case below and answer the questions that follow.

Jacob has been taking courses that relate to his current job, but he is really looking to obtain another

position in the company. He believes he has the potential to become a leader in the organization. When

he started at Technology Systems Incorporated five years ago, he was a call center representative. He

then became the supervisor of other call center employees after only six months. A year and a half later,

he was promoted to systems administrator. Since then, he has expected his employer to offer him

opportunities to advance further, but that has not happened. Jacob decided to take charge of his own

career and began to take advantage of the partnership program the company has developed with the

local university to take management and leadership courses.

$1$b$.$ By taking courses at the local university...

By taking courses at the local university, Jacob felt that he was taking steps toward advancing his career. Jacob is

now thinking about his