Appraisal Skills Training
Professional Management Skills training course informationInstructor-Led Management Training
Appraisal Skills
for Managers
for Managers
A practical one-day course that gives managers the skills and confidence to prepare for, conduct and follow up professional staff appraisals – delivered at your premises or live online.
20+ yearsTraining experience
1 dayManagers at every level
UK-wideOn-site or live online
Some of our clients
Run appraisals people actually want
Staff appraisals are one of the most important – and most often dreaded – parts of a manager’s job. This one-day instructor-led course has been designed for anyone who needs to develop their skills in this key management area. Every part of the process is covered, with practice sessions throughout so attendees leave able to conduct professional, motivating appraisals.
It pairs well with our Motivating Staff and Management & Leadership Skills courses. Browse all our management & leadership training courses, or run this course as a live remote class via Microsoft Teams.
- Free training needs analysis before your course
- Tailored with your real workplace scenarios
- Free post-course telephone & email support
Morale & Culture
Helping people to want appraisals and creating a can-do culture.
The Interview
A relaxed, open, two-way style that is firm and fair – and avoids confrontation.
Continuous Improvement
Identifying potential, individual development plans, mentoring and coaching.
Underachievers
Facts not emotions – getting people to accept responsibility and agree a plan.
Three ways to book your course
From a focused half-day at your premises to a fully customised day with professional actors – choose the option that fits your team, your budget and your diary.
Option 1
In-House or Live Online
Half-Day Group Course
£395 + VAT
Total group price
Half day · up to 6 people
+ £45 + VAT per additional attendee
+ £45 + VAT per additional attendee
- Focused on the essentials
- At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
- Reference materials & certificates
Option 2
In-House or Live Online
Full-Day Group Course
£695 + VAT
Total group price
One day · up to 6 people
+ £45 + VAT per additional attendee
+ £45 + VAT per additional attendee
- Tailored to your teams and situations
- At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
- Reference materials & certificates
Option 3
Customised at Your Premises
With Professional Actors
Tailored quote
Full day · any group size
- Scenarios written around your organisation
- Real practice with trained actors
- Trainer plus actor(s) at your premises
Training a larger group?
Our half-day and full-day in-house prices are based on groups of up to 6 people, and the actor-led option can be run for any group size. If you have a larger team, or several teams to train, please speak with one of our team to discuss this further. We will help you work out the best way to run it and put together a tailored quote.
Speak to our team
or call 0345 450 0051
Who should attend
Managers, supervisors and team leaders at any level who undertake – or are about to undertake – staff appraisals. No previous appraisal training is needed.
*In-house half-day and full-day prices are per course for up to 6 attendees, plus £45 + VAT for each additional attendee. The actor-led option is quoted individually and is not limited by group size.
Course Outline
A practical one-day course covering four modules, step by step. By the end of the day your managers will understand the importance of preparation, have practised an appropriate interview style, and know how to use appraisals to raise motivation.
1. Morale and Appraisals
- Helping people to want appraisals
- Creating a can-do culture
- Dealing with whingers
2. Appraisal Interviews
- Developing a relaxed, open style
- Preventing confrontations
- Two-way communication
- Firm and fair
- A winning commitment
3. Achieving Continuous Improvement
- Identifying and developing potential
- Monitoring the plan and maintaining commitment
- Individual development plans
- Mentoring and coaching
4. Appraising Underachievers
- Getting people to accept personal responsibility
- Facts not emotions
- Agreeing on a plan
More than just a training day
Tailored Content
Built around your team’s real workplace scenarios
Expert Trainers
Instructor-led, at the pace of your attendees
Reference Materials
Handouts and supporting materials for every attendee
Certificates
Course completion certificate for each attendee
Free Aftercare
Post-course telephone & email support
From the training room
A few of the teams we’ve worked with recently – in-house at their premises, at our venues and on public courses.
Training created for every kind of brain
People don’t all learn the same way – and a great course shouldn’t assume they do. Every Keys Training course has been adapted for different types of learners, including neurodivergent attendees and people with disabilities, so everyone in the room gets the same value from the day.
Whether someone has dyslexia, ADHD, autism, a hearing or visual impairment, or simply prefers to learn by doing rather than listening, our trainers adjust the pace, materials and activities to suit the people in front of them.
Every course has been assessed by accessibility experts to make sure it’s accessible and beneficial for all.
Neurodiversity-aware
Clear structure, plain language and varied activities that work for dyslexic, ADHD and autistic learners.
Accessible materials
Handouts and slides designed for readability, with formats adapted on request for individual needs.
Adjusted to the room
Small groups mean the trainer can flex pace, breaks and delivery style around each attendee.
Expert-reviewed
Every course has been assessed by specialists to make sure it’s accessible and valuable for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
Managers, supervisors and team leaders at any level who carry out staff appraisals or are about to start – including newly promoted managers facing their first appraisal round.
Is there practical work?
Yes. Practice sessions run throughout the day so attendees rehearse the appraisal conversation, not just the theory.
Can the course be delivered remotely?
Yes. The in-house fee covers delivery at your premises or as a live online class via Microsoft Teams – same trainer, same content, same materials.
Can the course be tailored to our organisation?
Yes – every in-house course starts with a free training needs analysis, so the examples, exercises and emphasis are built around your organisation and the situations your people actually face.
What is the actor-led option?
Our actor-led option adds professional actors to the training day, so your managers practise real conversations with someone who responds exactly as a colleague would – and get feedback on how it landed. Find out more about training with professional actors.
What do attendees receive?
Every attendee receives reference materials and a course completion certificate, and we provide free post-course telephone and email support.
Ready to get your team working together?
Speak with a training advisor to arrange a tailored appraisal skills course for your managers – at your premises, live online or with professional actors.
Or call us on 0345 450 0051 to speak with a training advisor today.