Choose in-house training when several people share the same need, or the content should reflect your own work. Choose a public course when you are sending one or two people, or want them to meet others from outside the organization.
How they compare
Group size: in-house suits groups. Public courses suit individuals.
Content: in-house can use your processes and examples. Public courses follow a set outline.
Timing: in-house can fit around shifts. Public courses run on fixed dates.
Confidentiality: in-house makes it easier to discuss real internal issues.
Outside perspective: public courses let people learn from other organizations.
Cost: it depends on numbers, so compare a quotation for your group with the per-person price.
Questions to help you decide
How many people need this in the next few months?
Do they need the same content at the same level?
Would examples from your own work make a real difference?
Can they all be away from work at the same time?
Is there anything they could not discuss in front of outsiders?
Mostly yes suggests in-house. If people have different levels, or can’t be released together, public courses or several smaller groups may work better.
Using both
Many organizations combine them: in-house for a shared need, and public courses for specialists. Recognized qualifications can often be studied either way, so ask how the awarding body’s requirements apply.
Getting help
Closed in-house programs at Leaders usually suit groups of around five or more. Smaller numbers can join scheduled public courses. See how to choose a training provider. Leaders Training Centre has trained teams from more than 500 organizations, and can build a custom course when an existing one does not fit. Request a corporate proposal.
- Corporate training
- Buyer guide
