Training sessions are an essential part of onboarding new employees, upskilling existing workers, and ensuring everyone is on the same page when new processes or technologies are implemented.
An effective corporate training plan gives employees the knowledge and skills to perform their roles successfully.
Definitions
- Training session: An organized meeting or workshop teaching employees new information and skills. It can range from brief orientations to week-long intensive boot camps.
- Facilitator: A person with practical business trainer skills who leads and conducts the training. Responsible for planning materials, presenting information, and engaging the learners.
- Learners: The employees participate in the training and acquire new skills. Their engagement and comprehension determine the success of the training plan.
Background on Training Sessions
Training sessions are a vital part of organizational development in the corporate environment.
Training sessions ensure employees are equipped with the latest knowledge to complete their work efficiently and according to company standards. We frequently hear this from clients with presentation skills training needs.
Common types of business training sessions include:
- New hire orientation: Covers company policies, culture, systems, job expectations, and more.
- Technical skills training: Teaches employees how to use new software, equipment, databases, etc.
- Compliance training: Provides training on legal or regulatory requirements.
- Professional development: Develops leadership, communication, and other soft skills.
- Product launch training: Details new products and how to sell/support them.
Impact of Poor Training
Ineffective training sessions can lead to the following:
- Lack of skills and productivity from employees.
- Non-compliance with regulations.
- Poor customer service.
- Increased workplace accidents and injuries.
- High turnover from lack of engagement.
- Inability to launch new products/services smoothly.
Features of Effective Training Sessions
- Clear objectives and goals.
- Engaging in delivery and activities.
- Opportunity to practice/apply skills.
- Relevant examples and scenarios.
- Feedback through assessments or questions.
- Reference materials and business games for future use.
- Follow-up support after training is completed.
Challenges with Effective Training
- Difficulty keeping learners engaged for long sessions.
- Consistently delivering training across large organizations.
- Budget and resource constraints.
- Creating realistic skill-building activities.
- Gauging comprehension and retention of information.
- Adapting training plans for mixed experience levels.
For example, new hires may lose interest during long policy presentations, and experienced employees may be bored relearning basic skills during software update training.
8 Ways to Improve Training Effectiveness
- Start with clear learning objectives.
- Chunk content into digestible sections.
- Use a mix of delivery methods (lecture, discussion, activities).
- Engage learners with relevant examples and scenarios.
- Provide an opportunity to practice skills in a safe environment.
- Gather feedback through post-training surveys.
- Offer reference materials and job aids for reinforcement.
- Conduct follow-up check-ins on training retention.
Getting Started with Effective Training Sessions
Follow these steps when developing your next training program:
1. Assess needs. What skills are needed? What problems or knowledge gaps exist? Survey employees and managers to identify focus areas and training needs.
2. Define goals. What should employees know or be able to do after training? Goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable.
3. Prepare materials. Develop presentations, activities, and job aids that align with goals. Utilize a mix of delivery methods.
4. Deliver training. Present information clearly and concisely. Engage learners by asking questions and providing hands-on practice.
5. Evaluate results. Gather feedback on training effectiveness. Assess comprehension through tests or demonstrations. Revise training as needed.
Conclusion
Well-designed training is essential for building a skilled, aligned workforce.
By following best practices around planning, delivery, and reinforcement, organizations can develop successful training programs that equip employees with the tools they need to excel at their jobs.
The result is a more productive, satisfied workforce that drives business results.
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
