Maximizing Your Training Program for Growth
The article emphasizes that implementing an employer-hosted, accessible, and incentivized in-house training program tailored to various career stages not only broadens hiring pools and accelerates new hire performance but also reduces turnover and improves key business metrics in trades-based businesses.
Creating an in-house training program is one of the most effective pathways for unlocking growth in a trades-based business.
Why Committing to an Employer-Hosted Training Program is Good Business
- Committing to training as part of a hiring strategy broadens the hiring pool.
- Effective training can dramatically reduce time-to-ramp for new hires and improve their performance metrics earlier in their tenure.
- Training reduces turnover by showing employees that you are invested in them; 86% of millennials would not leave their current position if their employer offered training and development.
- Training impacts key business metrics: reduced call-outs/call-backs, shortened time-on-task, and better customer satisfaction are all traits of a healthy trades business.
Top 8 Ways To Maximize The Value Of Your Training Program
1. Remove Friction from Learning
Make training as painless as possible to reduce friction in getting employees to use and benefit from training. Choose a delivery method that makes access easy, regardless of location. For example, platforms that allow training anywhere, anytime, on any device.
2. Make Time for Learning
Consider the time and energy investment required for training. Create designated time blocks for training and schedule them like any other part of the workday. Use automated reminders to nudge employees when they have outstanding coursework.
3. Rewards Matter
Incentivize employees with meaningful rewards such as PTO, cash, gift cards, and prizes. Reward both incremental progress and overall completion and competency.
4. Gamify the Training Experience
Introduce friendly competition with elements like leaderboards or team-based challenges. This can foster camaraderie, improve relationships, and boost morale.
5. Make Training Valuable for Everyone
Tailor the training curriculum to different career stages and needs. Use skills assessments to identify gaps and create customized learning paths for both new and seasoned technicians.
6. Empower Different Learning Styles
Support various learning styles by utilizing formats like virtual reality (VR), simulations, graphical presentations, and video.
7. Create a Contextual Curriculum for Scenario-Specific Instances
Use scenario-specific learning for particular worksites, regions, or issues. Assign contextual learning modules to address specific weaknesses, improving confidence and reducing call-backs.
8. Make Training Excellence Part of Your Culture with Actions, Not Just Words
Recognize achievements at meetings, company events, and online. Compensate employees for time spent on mandatory training and reward completions or skill attainment with raises, bonuses, and promotions.
Summary
Not every benefit of a training program can be quantified. Investing in employees improves efficiency and performance in both tangible and intangible ways. While some business owners worry that employees will leave after receiving training, the greater risk is the opportunity cost of not investing in your employees, which can lead to missed opportunities in profit margin and customer retention.
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Incentive Programs
Interplay’s career development platform maximizes training engagement and ROI by offering engaging, accessible, and gamified content—including short videos and VR simulations—that enable real-world application, supported by a diverse content library and incentive programs ranging from small rewards to salary increases to motivate ongoing learner participation.