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It’s been estimated that:
- Less than half the skills and information learned in training will be transferred to the job immediately after the training session unless trainers follow up on trainee performance.
- Within 6 months, as much as three-quarters of training can be lost without follow-up.
- After 1 year, some employees will retain as little as 10 percent to 15 percent of what they learn in training unless learning has been reinforced.
What these numbers add up to is that training is a process, not an event. For training to be effective, it’s got to get back to the job. What trainees learn has to be applied, or all of the time, money, and effort spent on the training is wasted. That means training doesn’t end when trainees leave the session. Unfortunately, too many trainers forget an essential step—following up to ensure transfer of safety training.
Put your hands together for handouts. One of the best ways to follow up on training and help ensure transfer of skills and knowledge to the job is to give trainees handouts that summarize key information from the training session. For example, you can use memory and job aids such as checklists and work sheets that employees can take back to their workstations and use to implement training points. When developing handouts, remember to:
- Identify the purpose of the handout.
- Explain when and how it is to be used.
- Make it easy to read.
- Highlight key information in bold type.
- Keep it short—1 or 2 pages is usually enough.
- Use diagrams, pictures, etc., if possible, to illustrate and reinforce written information.
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Capitalize on coaching. Another effective way to follow up and make sure learning gets back to the job is to coach employees as they incorporate new knowledge and skills into their work.
- Observe trainees at work after the training session.
- Correct unsafe behavior. Describe what you observed and point out what was good, safe behavior, and what needs improvement. Demonstrate the correct method, steps, etc. Then have the employee perform the task correctly in front of you.
- Reinforce safe behavior. When you observe employees using skills and information from training, praise them for their safe behavior. Take advantage of routine supervisory meetings as well to reinforce safe behavior and proper use of training on the job.
Pop in a posttraining review. At your next safety meeting following a training session, take a few minutes to review prior training:
- Ask employees to review key concepts learned in training.
- Talk about how newly acquired skills and knowledge are improving safety on the job.
- Discuss any problems in transferring skills and knowledge from the training session to the job.
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In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll get more in-depth direction on how to create effective handouts that are worth keeping.