Companies waste a lot of money each year using the wrong techniques for mandatory training. Employees typically need training when joining the company, new products are released, or new processes are rolled out. Traditional classroom or web-based courses are expensive and ineffective. Employees spend most of their time in the classroom doing the "iPhone prayer" or surfing the net instead of following online instruction.
The best training technique is on the job.
Learning fundamentals and procedures while on the job reduces error and increases learning retention resulting in better compliance. Attempting to train an employee how to adequately roll steel in a classroom setting is challenging without the physical environment of the job. The noise made by the machine while the mill is spewing hot sparks are incredibly important for experiencing the full effect of the functional process.
Following an iterative three-step process of listening, communicating, and providing hands-on training is the best way to provide the most effective on-the-job training.
This step is often overlooked. Many companies create their training plan without feedback from impacted employees. Gaining insight into the process from the perspective of someone currently doing the job makes it easier to develop materials that will support the new process or procedure. Creating graphics to support a process that takes place in a dark environment is better than written procedures that cannot be read.
Employees also want their concerns to be heard. Employees should be encouraged to share concerns they may have regarding the process change. Listen to their ideas and take the time to review the feedback received. Gathering employee input will ease tension, ensure change is embraced, and make the process go over smoothly.
Training materials typically focus on how new processes or procedures should be performed without sharing the expected impact on roles and responsibilities. Employees engage and comply to the new processes and procedures when their contribution to the overall company goals and objectives is clear. Effective training must be straightforward, concise, and simple to understand to maintain an environment of continuous improvement. Remember to consider any language barriers to effectively communicate all new processes and changes to the company.
Tell the truth. New processes and procedures will make employees uncomfortable when day-to-day activities change. When the company acknowledges the discomfort, employees are more likely to push through without resentment. Knowing the end goal will produce a more efficient process in the long term.
The following iterative training technique is the most effective way to teach field employees how to execute new processes:
Iterate the training process until the errors are minimized. Employees need to develop confidence associated with learning from mistakes.
Training is required. Make the effort to listen to the employees' opinions, communicate clear and intentional training procedures, and implement the training in an iterative observe-collaborate-execute process. Progression will never happen without the desire to continuously improve. On-the-job training is the most effective approach for field employees to learn new processes while remaining productive. Doing so will produce the most valuable results for the development of the company.
This iterative training technique is also highly effective for onboarding new employees.
Trenegy helps companies develop effective training techniques. Find out more about Trenegy’s expertise: info@trenegy.com.
