Training Effectiveness in a Manufacturing Environment
The numerous factors that can be used to evaluate training options in manufacturing can be overwhelming, especially with the surge of e-learning opportunities. There is no doubt that e-learning can have a place, but we should be careful not to let ease of application, short term cost savings, and speed blind us to the ultimate goal of delivering effective training and increasing the bottom line. It is about context.
Manufacturing is fundamentally a hands-on, product/good creation enterprise. It would naturally follow that training, too, should be a hands-on experience in terms of maintenance, production and operations. Theory and tactical knowledge is important, but only truly learned when applied through practice. One of our largest and most successful manufacturing clients recently told us, “As we prepared to put this (training) in place, we did some research and found that our mechanics wanted hands-on training, not just to sit in front of a computer or read a book.”
As we all know, training factors such as time and cost play a dominate role, as they always will. Yet, ROI and training effectiveness should always dictate decision making.
It can be difficult and time consuming to formulate proper evaluation methods of training. Time is always in limited supply, especially when it takes portions of the incumbent workforce off the floor.
Scientific Management Techniques has devised a unique system of training that utilizes our Hands-On Assessment Machines and Methodology to quantify individual skill sets pre and post-training. Pre-training assessments allow Fortune 500 manufacturers to customize highly targeted training to the individual, giving them the training they need, and nothing they don’t – minimizing the time they are off the production floor. For post-training analysis the incumbents are re-assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of the training, and where adjustments can be made. A virtuous cycle is created.
SMT’s Manufacturing Training Curriculum is 100% demand-driven, based on the ever changing needs of the manufacturing industry over the last 40 years. Troubleshooting is the heart and soul of the program and utilizes over 200 Hands-On training aids.
The result of these unique assessment and training systems when applied together is powerful.