Finding and hiring the best talent is the first step to ensuring a company’s success. To achieve this, it is necessary to implement different processes, one of the more important being employee training. Through teaching and learning, employees gain the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs effectively, as well as learn about the company’s culture and way of working.
However, often when we think of training, the first thing that comes to mind is face-to-face trainings or manuals, and we forget that there are certain skills and knowledge that require practice and feedback. In these cases, on-the-job training is essential. In this post, we take a look at this increasingly popular learning methodology.
What is on-the-job training and how does it work?
On-the-job training is a practical learning methodology by which employees acquire skills and knowledge through practice, and with the resources and tools they use to fulfill their daily duties.
This type of learning takes place directly in the work environment, rather than relying on external or theoretical training programs. Through this methodology, employees have the opportunity to learn from their peers and superiors, as well as observe and participate in real situations to apply the knowledge acquired. This allows them to gain practical experience and develop specific skills related to their job responsibilities.
When to use on-the-job training
On-the-job training is ideal for learning processes or procedures, as well as for learning to handle tools or machinery. Its purpose is to prepare the employee to fulfill their role within the company, so that they can develop their functions successfully and without supervision.
Imagine that a company is implementing an on-the-job training program for its new sales representatives. The process would be carried out in different phases that include a new employee shadowing an experienced salesperson. Once they feel comfortable, they would begin to participate actively, receiving feedback from their peers, until they were able to gradually assume responsibilities themselves.
In summary, on-the-job training involves observation, participation, feedback, assignment of responsibilities and continuous evaluation.
Benefits of on-the-job training
On-the-job training is a methodology that offers benefits to both employees and the company. Some of the most important are:
- Quick adaptation to the job and with real experiences that reduce the chances of making mistakes.
- It attracts and retains talent, because it makes employees feel more confident and competent, which reduces turnover.
- It improves productivity, motivation and generates greater job satisfaction, since it puts employees in close contact with their colleagues from day one, making them feel part of the team and improving the culture of the company.
- It is a more cost-effective training method, as it does not require the organization of training sessions or conferences. At the same time, it turns daily tasks into an opportunity to learn, without neglecting productivity.
- Employees are also more likely to retain information through practice.
How to maximize the effectiveness of your on-the-job training with a corporate e-learning app
As we have seen, on-the-job training is essential for the development of certain skills and knowledge. However, to make the most of this learning methodology, it is essential to have the right tools. In this sense, a training app can be the perfect complement to enhance and maximize on-the-job training. Here are some ideas of how this combination can improve the effectiveness of your training:
1. Improve access to learning content anytime, anywhere
A training app allows the employee to access training content wherever they are and when they need it. This is especially necessary for workers without a desk or frontline workers, as it allows them to make the most of their time, facilitates continuous learning and offers support remotely.
2. Make it easy to track and evaluate employee progress
Being aware of the progress of employees is necessary to be able to support them in their professional development and ensure the success of the company. A training app facilitates this task, by allowing detailed and personalized monitoring of the progress of each employee, through evaluations.
In addition, trainers can access reports and statistics that allow them to make decisions based on their performance, to improve the learning process.
3. Offer interactive and gamification elements
Gamification is a powerful technique to motivate employees and improve their participation in the learning process. Integrating interactive and gamification elements into the training process can make learning a much more attractive and fun process, by including, for example, rankings, challenges and virtual rewards.
These types of elements are also very useful in those types of training that carry certain risks. For example, through a simulation an employee can develop their customer service skills, in a safe environment that allows them to make mistakes and learn from them.
4. Facilitates communication and collaboration
A training app also serves as a platform for communication and collaboration between employees. Some of the best ones include discussion forums, chats, and spaces where employees can share experiences and knowledge. This encourages interaction between colleagues and facilitates the exchange of ideas.
5. Update and improve content
Today’s jobs rarely stay the same, they change and evolve over time, which makes it necessary to update the content of your training. One of the advantages of a training app is its capacity for providing customized and up-to-date content easily and quickly.
Take your training strategy to the next level with isEazy Engage
Now that you know what on-the-job learning is and how a training app can help you multiply your results, check out isEazy Engage. Our training app offers you a wide variety of interactive, communication and tracking features to provide your employees with an enriching and personalized learning experience. Start your free trial and take your training strategy to the next level.
