How can employees retain information from on-the-job training?

Training is the number one source that fosters growth in a company. When employees go through training, they are better adapted to deal with any problems that may come their way. Employees also see the company in a more positive light when they know the company cares whether they are trained properly, and spends the time to ensure the training is completed. As training is essential for a company, if an employee does not retain the information, the training is not deemed useful. By following a few simple tricks, you can account for any missteps in the training process.

Incorporating Various Methods

Everyone has their own learning style. You cannot go into teaching someone a new task, expecting every person to learn the same way. Knowing how everyone learns is important before you begin the training process. If you do not have access to the background knowledge of each person, you will just have to incorporate multiple learning styles into the training. Some people will need to see the process written out while others may need it acted out. By mixing it up, you can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to understand the lesson in the way they are more comfortable with.

Training in Action

Promptness is imperative in allowing the employee to retain information more effectively. The best way to do this is by going over one aspect at a time and then putting it into motion. The trainee should actually start putting the training into motion as quickly as possible so it gets settled into their mindset. Quickness can be a double edged sword. You do not want to go over things too quickly because the person needs a chance to absorb each step. By allowing the employee to act out the steps, you can see if they get the idea of it or not. In this way, if they do not understand a concept, it will be easier to work through that step, and not the entire thing.

Grabbing Their Attention

Delivery is very instrumental in getting an employee to retain what they are taught. When teaching someone, you need to make sure you come across in a constructive way. If you start sounding condescending, you may lose the focus of the employees. Sometimes, the best way to teach an employee something is to have their peers instruct them. You need to be able to get on their level in order to grab their attention. When you have their focus, they will absorb the information a lot more.