13 Ways To Improve Technical Training

Changes in information technology are happening faster today than ever before. New developments in software and hardware are making their way from research environments to regular use in record time. The challenges employees face in staying current or at least aware of those changes are necessitating new approaches to training efforts. Technical training for employees, at one time considered a sideline luxury, is now a necessity. And because of the high cost of technical training, whether it be developed in-house or by outside entities, employers are searching for ways of improving the effectiveness of training programs.

Assess each student’s level of exposure to the subject material prior to the training session.

Determine how the students intend to use the subject material.

Adjust the curriculum to meet the particular need of each class.

Give examples that pertain to the students’ situation.

Take frequent breaks.

Let students ask private questions from the instructor as well as public questions.

Don’t B.S. the students when you don’t know something.

Provide alternate sources of information to the students.

Don’t have a curriculum that is too inflexible.

Don’t have a schedule that is too inflexible.

Don’t be shocked or surprised if students don’t get it the first time.

When appropriate, arrange for a guest speaker to give a short talk on one area of the subject matter.

Establish clear learning objectives and inform the students what they are.