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Training new hires or promoted internal employees in your company is a delicate process but one that must produce solid results. After an initial training period, employees should be expected to perform the essential functions of their position without continued teaching, excessive supervision, or the need for corrective action. However, there are different methods for teaching various employees in various fields. In a sense, a high school teacher and a vehicle mechanic, for example, are undergoing the same training process with the same goal of becoming immersed in their new employment environment. However, different teaching material must be introduced so that each can perform their distinct functions. A teacher must know how to develop lesson plans that suit local education standards and a mechanic must know how to perform the specific repairs for which they are assigned within an auto shop's timeliness and excellent results standards. Although there are millions of different kinds of jobs and job descriptions, there are essentially 4 training methods that are used across the board, no matter what industry or specific job opening is in question. These are the 4 most common training methods utilized today. 1. Hands-On Training This training process is for those that will be performing a practical skill on a daily basis. The term "hands-on" does not necessarily mean the use of one's hands, though this is certainly relevant for one becoming an AC repair technician. Their hands-on training will involve observation and critique of their methods and efficiency to achieve specific results (effectively fixing an AC compressor, for example). However, hands-on training can also apply to any other job positions. For example, an employee trainer might observe a new secretary as he or she takes telephone calls, updates a schedule, sends emails, and delivers mail. Likewise, they will also receive critique over their methods and efficiency. This "practice makes perfect" approach to training is certainly beneficial, though it should probably be the last stage of the process, as unmonitored work will be the clear consequence of good hands-on training. 2. Classroom Instruction This training process, whereby new hires are treated as students being taught company policies and procedures as educational material, is also highly common. This training does not necessarily need to be performed in a traditional classroom but can involve group meetings with a superior or employee trainer, as long as the methods are classroom-like in their vocal and visual instruction techniques. Visual aids and presentation tools such as slides, handouts, and demonstrations are characteristic of this type of instruction. This method is beneficial, as it invites employee participation, question-and-answer sessions, and professionalism, but boredom is common and new employees might not pay attention to the material. 3. Web-based Training With web-based training, new employees are given access to learning management systems, or computerized training software that includes videos and other visual aids, presentations, and testing pages. This training technique allows new employees to work at their own pace, study in the convenience of their homes or a private classroom, and learn the material they need to comprehend about their new job positions with the use of software that is optimized for intake and engagement. 4. Introductory Meetings The most hands-off process for training employees, this process simply involves a new employee meeting with a superior on their first day of work. The superior will privately offer the new employee a few rules and regulations about the job and perhaps hand over an employee packet for the employee to review on his or her own time. This meeting will formally welcome the employee and establish that from that point forward the employee will be expected to begin working without any further training, trusting the new hire's job experience and education to be sufficient in and of itself. Any combination of the above training methods can be utilized for your new employees, but it is worth noting that the use of learning management systems, or web-based training, has been demonstrated and proven to be most effective in welcoming employees to a new environment and preparing them for the rigors of their everyday job functions. With the prominent use of this training technique, you can trust that your employees can begin working quickly and effectively with little-to-no supervision, which is the endgame of training work.
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