TRAINING ADULTS –

        Your first job is to find out what people know.  Then find out what they want to know, or need to know. Next develop a challenging and enjoyable program, relevant to their needs.

        Training should be to inspire action rather than fill with knowledge.

        Leaders should monitor training carefully to see how effective it is – what’s the impact on job performance, and people’s morale.

A Handful of Tips to train adult workers

* People learn best when they know they need new skills

        Training should be timely and relevant to situations.

        Adults learn best when they realize they need to update their present skills or learn new ones.

        Appeal to their desire for advancement, more pay, and their survival in a job.

* Involved people  in planning their training

        Help them identify their needs and suggest the topics to be covered.

        List topics and let them select which topics are the most important for them to learn.

* Make training enjoyable

        Training can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. 

        People enjoy training games and challenging competitions.

        Set up teams and let the teams compete for the best solutions to problems, or new ways to work.

        Give small prizes for the best results.

        Encourage participants to express their opinions and have lively discussions.

        Keep lecturing to a minimum. Lecturing is the most ineffective way to train.

* Use a variety of training ways

        People will learn more quickly if you use different training methods.

* Short bouts of learning are better than  long sessions

        Long sessions can be tiring and boring.

        Short repetitive training sessions can help reinforce learning because they have more impact and relevance.

        If people start to wilt during training sessions take a break.

        Play a ball game, let them go for a walk or a swim, or break for coffee. Do something different, so they return refreshed and keen to continue.

        Training should be challenging, enjoyable, and worthwhile.

Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“Training should include creative and lateral thinking – linked to real work situations.”

SOURCE: “Training Secrets. Helping adults learn” 190p., Moss Associates. Ltd, New Zealand, and Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com. (Learn 49 ways to train and how to assess and improve your own training skills.)

See also “NO JOB! WHAT NOW?” FREE for those in need from mossassociates.co.nz