Step 3: Determine Training Solutions to Close the Gap

Overview

Once the gap analysis is complete, you’ll have a much clearer picture of the skill sets you’ll need to build within the team or organization. Now it’s time to identify the solutions or tactics you’ll use to make that happen - just keep in mind that there's no "one size fits all" approach for this.

Determining the Training Path to Take

The following questions will help you determine which mix of training will best fill the skills gaps:

TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS	GUIDANCE	ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
What training solutions will address gap A, gap B, etc.?	Refer to the learning platforms and resources page for some options
Do any of your existing training programs or platforms offer these solutions?	If yes, consider how you access these offerings For example, is there a self-paced course on your agency’s Learning Management System? Does your organization have a contract with a training vendor that could work?	If no, consider whether you can build this offering in-house or if you need to use an external partner or vendor
Are there any conferences that offer relevant programs?	Ask for recommendations from people who have expertise in specific skill sets	Look at professional organizations that align with your organization’s strategic goals such as ACT-IAC, Government Executive, FedInsider and the ATD Government Workforce Conference.
How will identified training solutions accommodate different learning styles?	Tailor the training to different learning styles for enhanced engagement and success
What is the annual budget I need to provide these offerings?	According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the average organization spent $1,280 per employee on workplace learning in 2021	Most organizations establish a budget for L&D and review it annually to align with business needs
How will I measure the effectiveness of the training solutions I choose?	Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how useful your training solutions are in closing the gaps you identified in the previous step