4 Tips for Better Employee Training Programs

When it comes to providing the best employee training programs, technology, visual stimuli, and help from skilled professionals are key.

Published on 2 April, 2015 | Last modified on 1 November, 2022
4 aspects of the best employee training programs 1

Despite the fact that technology makes life a lot easier, there is always a learning curve associated with software and tools. For HR professionals and enterprise training specialists, it should come as no surprise that anything new demands attention and extensive training.

However, holding training seminars will always be a challenge that needs to be solved – partially with technology and some extra help from skilled professionals. While this might mean reforming old strategies and replacing them with new ones, the process will be well worth the results. Here are four aspects of the best employee training programs:

1. Complete strategy

Start by setting goals and identifying your audience. This is a critical step that many overlook, but it’s essential, as those goals would be the guide to your training course. So, if you want to create goals and position them toward an audience, it makes sense to just ask employees what they hope to get out of training. Combine those ideas with what you think needs to improve in your existing training by identifying flaws with departmental managers.

“Ask employees what they hope to get out of training.”

Then it’s time to figure out how to reach those goals with the next three considerations.

2. Visual stimuli

“Show, don’t tell” might seem cliche, so how about, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? That’s not any better but you get the point – visual learning is the best kind of learning. In fact, Training Industry reported that visual stimuli produced better results than aural or kinesthetic techniques. So, print out some flyers, brochures, posters, and signs for your next training session to engage the audience. Not only will this help people absorb subject knowledge, but they can write on documents, add notes, and make connections.

The source also recommends using simple logos on handouts, as learners are more likely to recall easy-to-see visual elements. Livening up print is not hard, and it goes a long way. You might be thinking, “Well, I can’t draw, so plain typeface it is!” That’s not the best  approach. Instead, look for printing services with collections of different document types. Your job is to keep people engaged, and visual stimuli is the best way to do so.

3. Digital content

Using hardcopy documents and brochures is a great technique to ensure that employees always have a reference. Humans, however, are awfully prone to error, and those flyers might not last long. This is where digital content comes in. Employees can have access to up-to-date information from anywhere, guaranteeing they can brush up on skills at home or en route to the office.

Allowing employees to access training documents at all time will ensure that they actually adhere to standards.Allowing employees to access training documents at all times will ensure that they actually adhere to standards.

Digital content allows students to learn flexibly, whether it’s slow reading or quick group training sessions. Plus, educators who blend digital and physical strategies increase engagement when training.

4. Gamification, hands-on learning

Your students are now armed with physical documents and digital content. They are engaged and absorbing information. If only there was a way to make learning fun … Have you considered gamification?

Gamification is a process that rewards employees for their successes in the office, but it can easily be extended to training. According to Small Biz Trends, we are now in the era of Gamification 2.0: A time when businesses improve productivity by repeating tasks or tests through game play.

Training becomes fun, some competitiveness seeps through, and, the next thing you know, employees are informed on practices and protocols. The game and the rewards are up to the trainer, but keep in mind that visual stimuli are important and these efforts need to align with the initially noted goals. Don’t forget to make documents flashy, content digital, and learning hands on. Now, let’s train better!

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