Smart Training Principle #4 “Dual Training Environments”

Know when the priority is to meet production demand or to train

The challenge for any on-the-job (OJT) training program is balancing the need to fulfill orders and the need to train. Meeting demand usually takes precedence, however it’s important to recognize the opportunities to train whenever possible. That’s what we at NIMS are referring to in Smart Training Principle #4 – establishing Dual Training Environments in your shop or factory. So, one environment is “skill attainment” and the other is “meeting demand”.

To practice this principle effectively, all it takes is forethought and communication. Looking in the ERP system for example, you might see a work order that is ideal for training. You must now decide if you are going to slow down production to capitalize on the training opportunity. If you prioritize skills attainment over meeting demand, you must clearly communicate with the trainer and the trainee and any other impacted individuals, the objective on the shop floor. During that period, the objective is not meeting demand. Whatever production you get, you get, but for four hours, say, skills attainment is the objective.

Conversely, when meeting demand takes precedent as you look over the production schedule, you are in a different training environment. Yes, you can still train, but it will likely be limited to process training. The trainee and trainer can talk and learn as parts are being made, but don’t mess up the production speed because these orders need to get out the door.

Again, the key is knowing and detecting the training opportunities and deciding to accept them or not based on the conditions on the floor and the urgency of meeting production demand. Being fully aware of the dual training environments clarifies the decision-making and then communications follow with all involved to execute the OJT training session.

Now, if some of this sounds familiar it’s because it’s like an echo of Smart Training Principle # 1“Training from the END” in part, you must identify your training opportunities. Principle #4 falls squarely on prioritizing training opportunities based on operational circumstances. It’s management who must decide when the training opportunities can be executed and initiate the communications.

• All the Smart Training Principles work in concert with each other. As a recap, they are:
• Training from the End
• Stakeholder Environment
• Separate Trainers and Evaluators
• Dual Training Environments
• True Competency-Based Content
• True Performance Validation
• Win-Win

And, as promised, we are unwrapping the key principles and behaviors one by one in this blog series. The next one will focus on True Competency-Based Content.

The best way to understand this new way of approaching training for today’s manufacturers is to learn more about the Smart Training Solutions framework and how it can apply to your staffing needs. If you would like to book time with me and jump start your OJT program, please call the NIMS office at (703) 352-4971.

Thanks for following me and staying tuned!

Always learning,

Montez