Firms spend a lot of time and money creating employee training programs. They need to ensure that the training pays off – meets the company objectives. To do this there must be assessments post-training. But this can be too late if trainees haven’t already accomplished the right end result. To improve training, it’s wise to obtain the input from experts – the trainees themselves during the training sessions.
Here are 5 ways to get employee feedback during and after a training program:
1. Get Input Early In the Process
When you review the day’s training, ask evaluation questions. Ask students how they feel about the previously taught task. Can they perform those same tasks on-the-job with minimal or no supervision? Utilize that time to get trainees to input before starting the actual tasks. This does not need to be a complex process. Online surveying tools make it possible to poll your class quickly, and with minimal expense. To do this effectively, it’s important to be laser-focused on what you want to find out. It’s more instructive to ask just a few well thought-out questions that allow for optional free-response than twenty multiple choice questions that confirm existing biases. Remember the survey has to be short and to the point.
2. Mix it up
Some of the best insights can arise when you put people from different departments in the same room for an informal focus group. Again, this doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Give out a surprise memento or souvenir of the class that will draw-in the trainees. When purchasing a souvenir, you should consider trainee preferences. Don’t end up offering something which will confuse or not interest your audience. Have some short fun moment with them and then embark on your training.
Single out their spokesperson (moderator) because trainees listen to their peers. You need to find their unofficial team leader and try to create good interaction with that person. This is the easiest way to conduct training especially when you are dealing with a disinterested or even obstinate crowd. The quickest path to get feedback is to use the moderator to give instruction and the solution to the task; gather feedback from the trainees through their leader.
3. Engage a Task Force
When you want to really understand what’s working – and what’s not – a task force is also an alternative. Try using this approach when the first two methods don’t accomplish a direct line to hearing what’s top-of-mind for your students. Chances are a task team’s one-on-one conversations with trainees in the workplace will be able to provide concrete insights that otherwise might be missed. In addition, getting your task team’s input is a good means of adoption and ownership of full control of the classroom. A task force might consist of the manager, supervisor or any key senior employee. Even the most disruptive worker cares for the job and whenever a superior from the organization walks into their training, they get serious; that is the right time to ask all the questions.
4. Go to the Front Lines
In addition to using your task force, don’t forget to discuss with your trainees their need for support. You should not be portrayed as an impediment to their proficiency. Someone who doesn’t care about them. Try to win them over and be in sync with their preferred means of support. After you have achieved your day’s objectives, let them go early. Trainees need down time. Avoid tiresome activities and boring lessons. Trying to keep the employees active as long as possible for the sake of fulfilling a time schedule is futile.
5. Don’t Over-complicate It
Getting this feedback doesn’t need to be complicated. Create a focus group, a case study which is an easy way to collect suggestions and feedback directly. By going right to the source, you’re not only going to get valuable input and data, but you’re also involving your people in solving the problem or learning the process being trained.
If you would like some complimentary advice on the effectiveness of your training session or the responsiveness of your participants, contact Flexicrew today.