Plastics Training: February 2010 Archives

We are waiting until things pick up before we start employee training.

Believe it or not, slow times are the optimal time to start your employee training initiative. These are great opportunities to get your current employees up to speed, and prepare them for the next increase in production.

This is especially true if you hire temporary employees since you will rely heavily on your current employees to being new and temporary hires up to speed when things get busy.

-Andy

I often encounter this question when upper management does not put a priority on employee training. Many managers will state that employee training is important to them... but often neglect to set aside resources such as time, materials, or manpower to make it happen.

For example, many companies try to use their conference room for training. Unfortunately, such rooms are often so busy, that there is never time to schedule employee training. Often training will get cancelled whenever someone in management wants to hold a meeting. As a result, the employees get the impression that training is not important, and therefore will not make the time.

Basically, employee training needs to become a permanent fixture in your company. You may train a couple hours a week, or a few hours a month... but it needs to be maintained and supported by management. In the example mentioned above, if a manager wanted to interrupt training to use a conference room, he or she should offer the use of their own office to help ensure that the training takes place... this would demonstrate that employee development is important and must be maintained.

As with all initiatives, training needs to be both supported and encouraged by the upper management.

-Andy

Training plays an important role in the success of any molding facility, and provides benefits to both the employee and employer. It is important that personnel at all levels participate in a structured in-house training program. Such employees increase their knowledge base and learn applicable skills to enhance their performance in a production environment.

Training also helps the employer satisfy their customers - and ensures future customers that they’ll be able to handle new challenges. Such training is essential to performing your job correctly. In addition, training can help achieve your professional and financial goals by providing job advancement opportunities.

Don't be afraid to be frank, especially with new hires... Any employee who is unwilling to learn and improve should be concerned about their longevity at your company.

-Andy