Training for a Self-Sufficient Workforce

Traditionally training programmes are lecture-led and classroom based. ?This can be an efficient and cost-effective method to provide employees with enough knowledge to pass an assessment to provide evidence of competence to satisfy an external watchdog or cover a legislation. But do employees leave having a true understanding of what knowledge they possess? Do they feel empowered and inspired to progress and drive themselves and therefore their employer forward? And how long is that life of knowledge that’s learned in this way?

When I first started creating training material, I spoke to several experienced trainers for advice on how and where to begin when writing new course content. Generally, the response was, “look at the course objectives and work back from there”. Sitting in multiple observations of training events, it was obvious to me that learners were being steered towards specific subject matter in order to provide answers in theory assessment sat at the end of the course. In fact, no depth of knowledge was given of why these facts or figures are important, why they achieve the result, or where they came from.

?? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????. ?

???????? ????, ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ????????, ???? ???????????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????, ???? ?????????????? ?? ????????, ?????? ???????? ?????????????????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ????????????????.

Instead of tasking learners to remember specific measurements, values and what to do when, I quickly found that showing learners where to find policies, standards and legislations, which provide the information required to perform a task or duty, was much more effective. Making sessions practical-focused, creating realism rather than sticking to classroom-based scenario questions, was clearly giving more clarity to learners, enabling the subject to ‘stick’ better.

My Self-Sufficient Workforce system is focused on my proven principles of:

? ?????????? ?????????????? ??????????????

? ?????????? ?????????????????? ??????????

? ???????????????? ?????????????? ??????????????????????

? ?????????????????????? ???????????? ??????????????????????

? ?????????????????? ??????-?????? ??????????????????????????

? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????

? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ????????

In a recent training programme for Network Rail staff that I delivered, one component of the training was to measure geometry defects in track.

The delegates were shown where to find standards which identify the tolerances limits of geometry faults, and shown what mitigation needs to be applied when reached. A practical session was delivered demonstrating how to apply the mitigation and then carried out by the learners. A geometry fault was then introduced onto a real railway track (training track).

Using what knowledge they have learnt and referencing standards, learners are left to highlight what mitigation needs to take place and have the opportunity to practice applying it. By practicing tasks in a safe practical environment gives them confidence to perform the task in the real world. Having a deeper understanding of the task will encourage staff to pass on what they know, creating longer term investment impact.

Gone are the days of training practical tasks in a theoretical based, lecture-led, classroom environment. Today, learners need a much more practical solution to understand a task that they are required to do and why they are required to do it, using all resources available in a real world environment.?

?????????????? ?????????? ???????????????? allows learners to discover how and why certain tasks are performed. It promotes teamwork, improves depth of knowledge and understanding, ultimately learners feel empowered to perform at a higher level. Which translates to a significantly productive, high quality, independent problem solving workforce, who are inspired to pass on their knowledge and wisdom to others.

?For more information from Ben Haines, leave a comment here or direct message