Build the Training Culture You Always Wanted

The article outlines 10 practical steps to build a strong training culture in a company by hiring for attitude, assessing skills over experience, defining skill-based job titles, creating personalized career pathways, implementing paid and incentivized training, utilizing learning platforms, and tracking key performance indicators to enhance technician engagement, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

10 STEPS TO

When implemented correctly, building a company culture around training can positively impact technician engagement and productivity, resulting in more work order completions, less outside vendor contracting, and happier customers.

Here are 10 simple steps you can take to change the way you approach training

STEP 1

Hire for attitude, train for aptitude

Hire based on behavior traits. Immersive training will build the technical proficiency.

STEP 2

Ditch the resume

Years of experience do not always equal a skilled technician.

STEP 3

Create job titles based on skill level, not years of experience

Clearly define what key attributes you are looking for and at what skill level.

STEP 4

Invest your time in understanding individual skill levels

Implement technical assessments to gauge each technician's current skill level.

STEP 5

Create career laddering pathways that support each individual team member

Add learning goals and training outcomes to quarterly and annual employee reviews.

STEP 6

Implement "before-the-job" training

Develop a strategy for getting the most out of training before your team heads out into the field.

STEP 7

Pay to train

Set up times to focus on training and specify that these hours spent training are paid.

STEP 8

Incentivize training to gain traction

Provide your team with monetary and non-monetary training incentives like extra PTO or awards.

STEP 9

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Implement a learning platform that helps with the heavy lifting & keeps you accountable.

STEP 10

Keep track of what is most important to you

Keep track of performance indicators like decreased callbacks, better reviews, and employee retention.