Training is one of the most important activities in human resource management. Training aims at improving employees’ levels of skills and knowledge. Hence, certain types of training can be implemented for specific purposes. In this research, we introduce the concept
of talent-based training. This form of training is expected to improve employees’ cognitive thinking and in turn, assist with cognitive engagement. Cognitive engagement is how employees and employers interrelate through participating in exchanging ideas and knowledge to solve organizational problems. This research seeks to analyse the concept of cognitive engagement as an outcome of talent-based training to improve individual performance. 150 employees from manufacturing companies participated in the study. Data was analysed using regression analysis. The results show that talent-based training and perceived organizational support relate positively to cognitive engagement and enhances individual performance.