Finding practical training solutions is a real challenge because each workplace has its own needs, struggles, resources, funds, schedule, and just all-around environment. There’s no one universal solution to training employees effectively and efficiently because all of these factors need to be taken into account by each organization when looking at training options.
Looking for some practical training solutions for your employees? We’ve got some ideas here for you to consider, and you can decide what will work best for your company and employees.
Start By Asking Yourself These Questions
These simple questions will increase your awareness of exactly what you need in a training solution so that you can make the best decision for your own employees before spending thousands of dollars.
What Do You Need From The Training?
- Do all of your employees need to learn new safety information because of new processes or equipment?
- Do all of your employees need to learn new information to improve safety on old processes or equipment?
- Do you need a full training program to increase general safety in the workplace?
Who’s Being Trained?
- Only new employees?
- All employees?
- Only management?
What Are Your Available Resources?
- Are you on a strict budget?
- Do you have facilities/space for in-person training?
- Do you have special training equipment available for use?
Compare Training Approaches
Keeping your answers in mind, you can compare these training approaches to see what might work best for you.
Instructor/Classroom Lecture
A traditional training session includes an instructor presenting or lecturing to employees all in one room. Multimedia presentations may be included by using a projector or a slideshow. This can be a great method of engaging employees in classroom-style learning and receiving instant feedback during the training. This is especially convenient if the instructor is a qualified on-site employee.
There are, however, some downfalls to this approach. Arranging a time and place for all employees to meet can be difficult and may result in non-productive time for the worksite–not to mention potential travel costs. It can also be difficult to deliver safety training in an engaging manner that will ensure comprehension and retention, especially if you’re taking the cheapest, easiest route.
Hands-On Training
A hands-on approach is a great way to engage employees and give a more real-world feel to the training. Seeing examples in person and applying theories to scenarios and objects helps to solidify information for employees. Giving demonstrations, coaching new employees on the job, and running drills in the workplace can give your employees the kind of training they need to understand how to maintain a safer workplace.
Though this is a great way to really engage employees for practical results, hands-on training can also reduce production. Anyone involved in demonstrations is taken away from their normal duties, and any equipment or materials being used might have otherwise been put to good use during that time. Coaching employees on the job pulls more experienced employees from their tasks as well. Small groups and individual employees could really benefit from this hands-on training, but large numbers of employees just wouldn’t be practical.
Computer-Based/Online
Online training gets an A+ for convenience and modernity. Employees don’t have to meet all in one place at the same time, so productivity stays the same. Engaging multimedia content can be delivered to all employees to review when they have the time to spare. Training materials can be completely standardized across multiple locations and dates because the exact same content can be delivered exactly the same way every time. Many platforms even allow users to go back and view content multiple times if they need to.
With online training, you miss out on the face-to-face interaction, but you do gain some efficiency and convenience. Price is varied with this approach, just like the other ones—find an option that works best with your resources and needs.
No matter what kind of training approach you use, just remember that you should customize it for your employees and your workplace. Take care to highlight specific areas that need improvement and make sure you are meeting the needs of your employees. Often the best approach is a combination of the three. If you are looking for an online/ computer-based training we got you covered.
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