Employee training is one of the most important aspects of any business. Employees must be given the proper training so that they can do their jobs effectively and efficiently. But what makes some employee training programs more successful than others? Many elements can contribute to a successful training program. Here are just a few of them.
1. Personalized to the individual
It’s not enough for a training program to just be “one size fits all.” The employee training must be specifically tailored to the individual. They should focus on skills, knowledge, and abilities that the individual needs to do their job successfully.
Additionally, the training should be designed to fit the individual’s learning style. It has been found that there are three major learning styles: auditory, visual, and tactile. Most training sessions are designed for visual learners, but the majority of employees lean more towards an auditory or tactile learning style.
Therefore, if an employee’s learning style does not coincide with the design of the training, there is a good chance that they will not retain as much information.
2. Tailored to the specific needs of the company
Each department and role within the company is different, so each of them must have its own training program. For example, not everyone in the company will need the same level of training on how to do their job.
The most experienced employees obviously will not need as much training as a new hire, but there is a difference between knowledge and experience. The established employees still have much to learn from the training to become even more productive.
3. Well-organized and sequential
For training to be successful, it must be clearly outlined from start to finish. The training should be well-planned and sequential. Their goal must be clearly stated, and they must build upon themselves to ensure that employees grasp the concepts from the previous sessions.
That’s why it is so important for employees to participate in the training. They should be given homework and projects that must be completed outside of the classroom setting, or they should be given real-life applications of the material that is being taught.
4. Interactive and engaging
Training sessions can’t just be a bunch of boring lectures. Employees won’t be able to retain any information that is taught monotonously. They should be an interactive and engaging experience so that employees are more likely to retain the information.
Trainers should engage employees in lectures by asking them questions, quizzes, or role-playing scenarios. They should also teach employees in a way that is engaging through storytelling, examples, or demonstrations.
Take a look at Singapore’s SkillsFuture courses, for instance. Their short courses are designed to teach employees how to hone their skills, no matter the industry or job title. Plus, the courses allow professionals to learn from one another within the program, further increasing the likelihood of success for each employee.
5. Supported by frequent assessments of progress
To ensure that the training is working, they must be supported by frequent assessments of progress. There should be checkpoints where employees’ knowledge and abilities are tested to ensure that they are learning what they need to know.
For example, employees could be given tests at the beginning and end of each session. Or if the training is ongoing, there should be assessments that are embedded into the training. Employees can also complete practice assignments to make sure they understand the information.
5. Employer-led
The training should be led primarily by supervisors and managers rather than the human resources department. The employees are the ones who are being trained, so they should be the ones to lead them.
But if managers are not knowledgeable enough about training, the human resources department should still be there to ensure that all the policies are being followed. This way, the employees will receive the proper training that is required by policy.
6. Consistency among trainers
Trainers should have a solid understanding of the subject matter and should know how to teach it. Each trainer should be consistent so that employees can receive the same learning experience.
It is also important that the trainers have a good rapport with their students. If a trainer does not mesh well with a specific group of employees, it will be difficult for them to engage the students.
To create a successful training program, you need to consider many aspects, such as those stated above. Once you have been thorough in your planning and have hired the right trainers, it is just a matter of ensuring that training is offered consistently to help your employees be the best they can be.
