Final answer:
When an employee learns a job by serving as an assistant to an experienced employee, it is known as mentoring. This form of training provides guidance and insights into the tasks and company culture, which can include formal mentoring programs, job shadowing, and informal education.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an employee learns a job by serving as an assistant to an experienced employee, this is known as mentoring. During a mentoring program, a more experienced individual helps a less experienced one by guiding, advising, and providing insights into the job's tasks and the company's culture.
This method of training is essential for the successful integration of new employees into organizational roles and responsibilities. Aside from formal mentoring programs, employees can also learn through job shadowing, where they observe a professional in their field to gain a better understanding of the role and its requirements.
Moreover, employees may encounter informal education scenarios, such as older children teaching younger siblings a task, mirroring the concept of mentoring in a workplace setting. Apart from these hands-on experiences, comprehensive training programs often begin with an orientation period where new hires learn about company policies, practices, and culture, setting the stage for their professional development within the organization.