6 Just-In-Time Training Misconceptions
Just-in-time training can take a number of different forms, but it typically involves creating a library of online training courses that are quickly and easily accessible by employees. Rather than giving employees a timeframe in which to complete the training, you allow them to access the content when they need it most.
It is an effective training strategy, but there are also misconceptions that can limit its success. Here are six of the most common.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Simply creating a library of online training courses is not enough to make just-in-time training effective. Without a comprehensive strategy or approach, employees might try to muddle through or ask someone else rather than complete the training.
So, what are the additional steps you need to take to ensure a just-in-time training strategy is a success? Here are the main components:
- Ensure the content is high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date.
- Make sure the training courses are easily accessible.
- Regularly communicate with employees to ensure they are aware the training exists.
- Establish and nurture a learning culture in the organisation where developing new skills and knowledge is embraced.
It’s the Same as Microlearning
Just-in-time training content can be structured in a microlearning format, but it is not the same as microlearning.
Using a microlearning strategy involves breaking the course into bite-sized chunks that learners can complete in minutes. This encourages learners to engage with training as they know they can complete it in stages and don’t have to find large blocks of time for learning.
This makes it suitable for a number of training topics that can fall under your just-in-time training umbrella, but you can also have training courses that are more traditionally structured in your library.
Also, microlearning training courses don’t have to be part of a just-in-time training strategy. Microlearning can be used with any training delivery or scheduling strategy according to your requirements.
The Content Has to Be Bite-Sized
Following on from the last point, just-in-time training courses should take the form that best suits the topic and learners. The content can be broken into bite-sized chunks, but it doesn’t have to be.
It’s Just Reference Material
Another misconception about just-in-time training is that the courses in the library are not real training courses but are instead reference material used to back up or supplement other training content. This is not the case.
Just-in-time training courses can be as comprehensive as they need to be to cover the subject and deliver the best possible experience for learners. They can be used as reference material, particularly if an employee wants to go back to a course to refresh their memory. However, while they can be used as reference material, they are not just reference material. Just-in-time training courses are training courses in their own right.
It’s a Training Shortcut
This misconception is similar to a person who only reads the last chapter of a book to see what happens. They take a shortcut to the end, but they don’t get the full experience of the story.
Just-in-time training is not like this. It is not a shortcut to real training. Instead, just-in-time training can be as in-depth and comprehensive as it needs to be.
In fact, it’s important that just-in-time training is comprehensive as employees will be working through the course when they need the information most. That is not a time for a brief overview or to leave out important information. The content can be concise and straight to the point, but it should also be comprehensive and as fulsome as is required.
It Works for All Topics
There are a lot of benefits that come with implementing a just-in-time training strategy, but it doesn’t work in all situations or for all topics. For example, urgent compliance topics are not always suitable for just-in-time training, or when there is a pressing need for employees to get new information.
There are also situations where the training course is not initially suitable for a just-in-time strategy but can become suitable at a later date. Therefore, flexibility in how you structure and build your library of content is important.
Speaking of Flexibility
In closing, flexibility is one of the most important characteristics of a successful just-in-time training strategy. There is no one-size-fits-all approach or rigid processes that you must follow. Instead, the strategy should be adapted according to your requirements and adjusted as necessary over time to ensure the evolving needs of your organisation continue to be met.