Providing on-the-job training involves the imparting the skills, the knowledge and the competencies which are essential in a workplace even as it adds value to the business. Employers need not send their employees for training from sources that are not connected with their business. It will enable them to save money for the training and also to save valuable man-hours.
On-the-job training will utilize workplace tools which are existing and include machines, equipment, documents, knowledge and the skills needed by the employee effectively to perform his or her task. The training is conducted in normal working environments which the employee regularly experiences in the workplace. On-the-job training may be held in places where the employee is actually working or can occur elsewhere in the workplace by the use of training rooms, workstations or equipment. However, providing on-the-job training helps employers to save valuable resources which can be used for other purposes.
Who Can Provide On-The-Job Training?
On-the-job training is frequently provided by coworkers who have the qualifications desired competently to train junior employees to perform the tasks he or she could be teaching. However, the trainer can also provide information about interpersonal skills, company requirements, policies and even impart leadership training which becomes a requirement for every employee during some stage of their careers.
Extender trainers may become necessary if the training needs to be provided on specialized equipment. There will be a cost attached to hiring external retainers to provide on-the-job training but it will still save the employer valuable man-hours which they wouldn't want to lose. In many cases, vendors are also visiting employers for providing the training needed by employees while also educating members of the human resources team about specialized developments. Vendors can be assigned the responsibility of training one or a group of employees who may then be assigned the role of training all the other employees to perform a similar job. The cost of the vendor is likely to be less than the cost of sending employees to an external location for the training which will result in lost man-hours.
Managers Can Be Trained To Provide On-The-Job Training
The effectiveness of internal training can be enhanced if managers are trained to provide on-the-job training. Training the managers for this task will have definite advantages for the employer because coaching, mentoring, and training usually become an expected and a highly utilized part of the manager job. When managers begin providing on-the-job training employees react positively because they begin to believe they may be given the opportunity to utilize the training.
They will react positively to the expectations expressed by the manager rather than just a trainer. When managers begin to provide the training they are adding value to the employer by cutting down costs which would otherwise have been spent on hiring an external trainer. Moreover, managers also have the capability to impress upon the employees that the topic being discussed is important enough for the manager to consider spending the time to provide on-the-job training.
Management Training Provides A Positive Experience
General Motors had a policy when managers trained employees on a strategy of corporate-wide changes. It was an example of illuminating the general manager of the time and the expected direction in which the company was headed and General Motors believed a trainer wouldn't be able to think similarly. The management training was successful in communicating the reasons for the change that encouraged participation while also making it exciting.
The knowledge and understanding of the culture of General Motors allowed the general manager to connect with the training with the actual operations that employees were engaged in every day. It was powerful to reinforce work culture that the company was looking to create and at the same time cut back on costs which benefited the company.
Employees Can Also Provide On-The-Job Training
Employers can derive immense benefits if they encourage employees to develop training capabilities of other employees. Employees who are taught to train can increase the effectiveness of the internal training program. Employees are generally familiar with the internal organization of the employer and are familiar with the goals and the culture along with the strengths of the company and its weaknesses and most importantly they also know the employees who they will train. It gives them an advantage as a trainer who already has all the knowledge necessary and is willing to impart the same to other people who are willing to learn.
On-the-job training not just saves valuable resources for the company but also ensures that the training imparted is by a knowledgeable individual and not an external provider who will certainly be short on certain aspects of the organization. On-the-job training provided by existing employees will add value to the business by providing comprehensive training to other employees for a negligible cost.