Brewing Coffee and Building Skills: A Lesson in Training Within Industry (TWI)

Recently, I had the joy and privilege of teaching my son the art of coffee making. We embarked on a journey to create the perfect cup, starting from scratch. Over time, he has become exceptionally skilled, and now I find myself savoring the high-quality coffee he prepares for us, and he basks in the glory of the rave reviews he receives from friends & family. The secret behind great coffee lies not just in technique but in passion and attention to detail. This is something my mother-in-law, celebrated in our family for her coffee-making prowess, often reminds us ??. Contrary to popular belief, making excellent coffee isn’t unattainable. With the right guidance and practice, anyone can master it.

To let you in on a little secret…we used a powerful yet often overlooked teaching method called Training Within Industry (TWI). Born during World War II, TWI was a revolutionary approach designed to address labor shortages by effectively training semi-skilled workers. It focused on transferring critical job skills quickly and consistently to ensure high-quality outcomes.

What is TWI?

TWI, or Training Within Industry, is a straightforward yet powerful method of breaking down tasks into important steps and key points. It forces trainers to simplify jobs into their essential components, making the process both intuitive and repeatable.

How Does TWI Work?

The TWI process involves:

1. Identifying Important Steps: The key actions required to perform a task that makes a tangible difference in outcomes
2. Highlighting Key Points: Specific details for each step that ensure success, such as safety precautions, quality measures, or critical parameters.
3. Explaining the “Why”: Linking key points to their importance helps workers understand not just how to perform a task, but why it matters.

Take coffee making as an example. One important step might be “adding hot water to the coffee grounds”. The key points for this step would include:

• Water Temperature: Must be at boiling point to extract optimal flavor.
• Water Quantity: The right proportion of water to coffee grounds ensures a balanced brew.

When these elements are explained and demonstrated, the learner can understand the rationale behind each action. Repeating the process two or three times ensures the skill is transferred effectively.

The Impact of TWI

By breaking down tasks into just a few important steps and corresponding key points, TWI simplifies skill transfer. This approach:

• Reduces the need for extensive documentation.
• Speeds up the training process, even for novices.
• Instills pride in workers by teaching them the right way to perform tasks, thereby embedding quality into the process itself.

When implemented thoughtfully, TWI can transform workforce training in any industry. It upskills workers and boosts motivation and pride in their craftsmanship.

Brewing Excellence

Whether you’re teaching someone to make coffee or training a new operator on the factory floor, the principles of TWI offer a roadmap for success. By focusing on the essentials, explaining the “why,” and ensuring hands-on practice, you can create a foundation for excellence and quality in any task.

?Who knew a simple cup of coffee could teach us so much about effective training?!