10 training and development books

We’ve come up with a list of training and development books to help you maximize your workforce’s talent and performance. These books cover practical applications, techniques, and approaches to improve training creation, delivery, and instruction for a successful training program.

1. Mitti Course Library

While not exactly a training and development book, Mitti (by SafetyCulture) houses a library full of courses on training and development that are a great alternative to traditional books. Courses like The Future of Learning, Food Protection, free hospitality certificates, and He lping Others to Develop a re great resources for L&D professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skills to provide the best learning experiences.

Unlike books that are static and can sometimes not suit your training program, these courses can be edited and customized. They also follow a microlearning design model to avoid information overload and only provide relevant key concepts. It’s a great alternative to books as you’ll have a wide array of choices on different topics that you can take and learn anytime and anywhere.

Cost: Free (up to 10 users)

Scope:

• People development

• Future of L&D

2. Training & Development For Dummies by Elaine Biech

Training and Development For Dummies is part of the popular For Dummies book series that will help you bring out the best in your employees through a familiar and approachable style. This book serves as a guide in creating the right training development program based on your talent pool. The different modes of formal learning will be discussed, which also include blended learning, which has now become a popular format. To develop your employees’ skills and potential, it also tackles the importance of coaching, mentoring, and evaluating performance.

Cost: 21.99 USD

Scope:

• Modes of formal learning

• Blended learning

• Learner support

3. Training and Development in Organizations by Stanley Ross

Training and Development in Organizations is a book that uncovers how training and development is key to an organization’s success. It kicks off with the different types of training programs and then goes about teaching how to design and implement each one. You’ll also learn how to conduct a needs assessment and training program assessment to evaluate the success of your program. This book also includes end-of-chapter activities, questions, and assessments to apply concepts learned.

Cost: 64.95 USD

Scope:

• Types of training programs

• Training design and implementation

• Conducting needs and training program assessment

4. The Gamification of Learning and Instruction by Karl M. Kapp

If you want to explore using gamification in your training, then The Gamification of Learning and Instruction is right up your alley. This book doesn’t just merely instruct you to add game elements but rethink how learning happens based on research and evidence. It teaches which game elements go best to reach your desired learning outcomes and provides techniques to improve knowledge retention and comprehension. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to design learning that’s not only fun but also meaningful to your learners.

Cost: 33.99 USD

Scope:

• Gamifying learning

• Instructional design with gaming elements

5. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

They say that some people are born with talent and others are not. The reality is that talent can be nurtured with the right mindset and approach. The Talent Code is all about unlocking the secret of talent and using it to its maximum potential.

This book focuses on three main themes: deep practice, ignition, and master coaching. First, it highlights the importance of practice and using specific types to achieve the results you want. You’ll also learn how to ignite your employees’ passion and use them as motivation to develop high achievers within your team. Lastly, you’ll learn how to fuel your employees’ passion and bring out the best in them with consistent and quality mentoring and coaching.

Cost: 6.99 USD

Scope:

• Deep practice

• Igniting employee passion

• Master coaching

6. Getting Your Money’s Worth from Training and Development by Andy Jefferson, Calhoun W. Wick, and Roy V. H. Pollock

If you want your organization and your learners to get the most out of training, then Getting Your Money’s Worth from Training and Development will do the trick. This book helps you help your employees succeed from start to finish, beginning from onboarding up to creating value for your organization. It covers how to make sure that learning content from your training program can be turned into significant results. Through the different tools and techniques discussed in this book, you’ll be able to reap the results of your training and development plan to foster a productive and competent workforce.

Cost: 15.33 USD

Scope:

• Turning training into results

• Tools and techniques for effective training

7. Employee Development on a Shoestring by Halelly Azulay

While most rely on formal training, other industries thrive on experience to learn, such as manual labor jobs. If you want to succeed using an informal learning approach, then Employee Development on a Shoestring is the right training and development book for you. This book offers practical ideas and techniques for solving business problems that improve employee performance to achieve better business results. It focuses on informal and social learning methods, such as on-the-job training, job rotation, and more, to increase skills that directly impact and drive performance results.

Cost: 23.26 USD

Scope:

• Informal learning approach

• Social learning

8. The Art and Science of Training by Elaine Biech

Another book by one of the most highly regarded names in the training field is The Art and Science of Training by Elaine Biech. In this book, you’ll discover the similarities among trainers, artists, and scientists, who are driven all the same to achieve the best results. It gives an overview of the science of learning and development while also having audience insight, which is about understanding learners. After reading this book, you’ll be able to apply both knowledge mastery, creativity, and imagination to create the best learning experience for your teams.

Cost: 34.99 USD

Scope:

• Creating learner-centered training

• The science of learning and development

9. Telling Ain’t Training by Harold D. Stolovitch, Erica J. Keeps

Telling Ain’t Training is another training and development book that puts the spotlight on learners. You’ll learn how to develop learner-centered training and apply it to the basic principles of adult learning. With a combination of years of research and experience, this book will enlighten you on how learners learn, why learners learn, and how you can make sure that learning sticks. This book also includes activities, quizzes, and exercises to engage and involve readers.

Cost: 38.99 USD

Scope:

• Learner-centered training

• Principles of adult learning

• Learning retention

10. The Learning and Development Book by Mary Stewart

If you’re an L&D professional looking for ways to provide better training, then The Learning and Development Book is one that you should have on your shelf. It offers fresh takes and approaches to learning content creation and creative ways to engage learners. It reinforces how learning shouldn’t feel like a chore and should be a fun experience to boost interest and attain your learning goals. The training and development book also points out how actual learning begins after training as employees apply and explore what they’ve learned on the job.

Cost: 19.99 USD

Scope:

• Creating engaging learning content

• Post-training learning

• Training implementation