How to develop your employees’ skills with on-the-job training 

Finding and hiring the best talent is only the first step to ensuring a company’s long-term success. Businesses need to put a range of different processes in place to achieve good results, and one of the most important is employee training. Through a combination of learning, practice and experience, employees can acquire the skills they need to do their jobs, as well as learn about the company’s unique processes, culture, and working style

Although there are many different learning methods and training strategies available, on-the-job training stands out for its practicality. With this method, employees develop skills in the day-to-day work environment where they need to use them. In this post, we’ll learn more about this training method, its advantages, and how to implement it correctly.

Understanding on-the-job training and how it works

On-the-job training is a practical training methodology in which employees acquire skills and knowledge through direct experience in the work environment. They practice with exactly the same tools and resources they use to perform their daily duties.

When using this method, employees have the opportunity to learn from their peers and superiors instead of relying on external or theoretical training programs. In addition, they get to observe and participate in real-life situations, helping them to correctly apply the knowledge they’ve acquired. This allows them to develop skills that are directly relevant to their job responsibilities.

In what situations is this type of training useful?

On-the-job training is ideal for learning processes or procedures, as well as for understanding how to operate tools or machinery. It prepares the employee to carry out their duties competently within the company, so that they can achieve results successfully and without supervision.

On-the-job training vs. off-the-job training

On-the-job training is increasing in popularity, thanks to its effectiveness in acquiring the skills, knowledge and competencies required for specific tasks. However, this learning methodology has a number of features that differentiate it from other strategies, such as off-the-job learning. Here are some of the differences:

Benefits of on-the-job training for companies and employees

On-the-job training benefits both employees and organizations, providing practical experience and fast-paced learning opportunities which boost productivity and competitiveness. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits on both sides:

For employees:

1. Practical, dynamic adaptation: On-the-job training allows employees to quickly integrate into their role by presenting them with real-life situations. This helps them to learn practically and reduce the chance of making mistakes.
2. Skills development and improved confidence: By training in the workplace employees feel more independent and empowered, which not only improves their performance but also boosts their professional confidence.
3. Increased job satisfaction: Employees who train this way are in constant contact with their everyday colleagues, creating a sense of belonging and team cohesion which raises motivation levels.
4. Improved knowledge retention: Consistent practice helps employees to better retain information, as they can apply what they’ve learned to specific, work-relevant situations.

For organizations:

1. Attracting and retaining talent: Implementing on-the-job training programs is a highly effective strategy to attract and retain talent. Employees value personal development opportunities and, if they feel properly supported, are less likely to seek alternative employment elsewhere.
2. Heightened productivity: This methodology transforms day-to-day tasks into learning opportunities, which not only improves learning quality but also maximizes productivity without interrupting the workflow.
3. Stronger organizational culture: On-the-job training helps to develop a workplace culture of learning and collaboration, where employees feel part of the team, and are more likely to contribute to the collective success of the company.

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Examples of on-the-job training

Implementing this methodology in your organization is easier than you might think. However, if you’re unsure about how to get started, then here are a few simple examples of on-the-job learning that you can put into practice in the workplace:

• Mentoring, coaching and support: Mentoring is an important process for all employees, but especially new ones. During this process, the employee works under the supervision of a mentor or experienced peer who guides them through specific tasks, providing real-time feedback and sharing good practices.

• Job rotation: With this strategy, employees have the chance to rotate between different roles or departments, allowing them to gain a wider variety of skills and better understand the workings of the whole organization.

• Hands-on projects: Hands-on practical projects allow professionals to apply the skills they’ve learned in the work environment, facing realistic challenges and developing effective solutions.

• Learning-by-doing: This approach is based on the notion that the best way for employees to learn something is by doing it. By giving them specific tasks that require the application of new skills, you can encourage active learning and a deeper understanding of their job.

• Simulations: Simulations are used to recreate real-life work scenarios (such as customer service calls or emergency situations) where employees can practice their response and improve their skills in a safe environment. This can be done either virtually, or by ‘acting out’ the scenario with other colleagues. Either way, the simulation should always be relevant to the job and its challenges.

How to optimize your on-the-job training with a corporate app

To make the most of this learning methodology, it’s essential to have the right tools at your fingertips. With this in mind, a training app can be the perfect choice to optimize and improve on-the-job training for your employees. Below, we share some insights into how a training app can enhance the effectiveness of your corporate training:

Improved access to training content, anytime, anywhere

A training app gives employees access to training content wherever and whenever they need it. This is especially useful for deskless or frontline workers, as it allows them to prioritize their time, facilitates continuous learning, and offers support at the point of need.

Enhanced monitoring of employee progress

Keeping track of your employees’ progress across their daily tasks is essential to support them in their professional development and ensure success for the company. A training app can help you to improve task management, giving you a detailed and personalized view of each employee’s progress.

Interactive gamification elements

Gamification is a powerful technique to motivate employees and improve their engagement with the learning process. By integrating interactive and gamification elements into your training process, you can make learning much more fun and exciting, by including features like rankings, challenges, and virtual rewards.

Better communication and collaboration

A training app also serves as a platform for communication and collaboration between employees. Some of the best apps include discussion forums, chat options, and spaces where employees can share knowledge and experience. This encourages greater interaction between colleagues, and stimulates the exchange of ideas.

CASE STUDY

How BBVA implemented a large-scale digitalization and training plan

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Take your training strategy to the next level with isEazy Engage

Now that you know more about on-the-job learning, and how a training app can help you multiply its results, it’s time to discover isEazy Engage.

Level up workplace learning with powerful features like personalized learning pathways tailored to each employee’s needs. You can also include interactive content, such as videos and quizzes, to drive engagement and help your team apply what they’ve learned to real-life situations.

What’s more, its tracking and analysis tools allow you to monitor the progress and performance of each employee in real time. This not only helps you to identify areas for improvement, but also allows you to adjust training content to meet the changing needs of each worker. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your training strategy to the next level! Request a demo and start enjoying isEazy Engage today.