How to Create the Best Manufacturing Training Programs

It can be hard to capture the attention of deskless workers when creating relevant learning programs. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of creating the best learning experience and training in the manufacturing industry. We will also explore, how digital learning platforms can be used to deliver tailored content and feedback.

The Challenge 

A load of different tasks and a steep learning curve. This is what a lot of new hires face when they step into the halls of the manufacturing industry for the first time.  

On the other side, manufacturing companies face increasing pressure to stay competitive by improving product quality, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency.

To achieve these goals, they must rely on the skills and knowledge of their workforce. However, manufacturing learning must also be interesting and relevant for the employees. In that way, they will keep up with the different tasks in the best way. 

Furthermore, employee retention in the manufacturing industry is also on the top priority list. Here, great learning and development opportunities are factors that can make employees want to stay longer at the workplace. 

Therefore, it's essential to provide personalized learning experiences that equip workers with the right skills to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry.

The Importance of Personalized Learning in the Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. That's why workers need to keep up with the latest technologies, tools, and practices to remain relevant. Personalized learning and training topics help workers to develop new skills, improve their performance, and advance their careers.

Moreover, personalized learning experiences enhance employee engagement and satisfaction, which ultimately leads to higher retention rates.

4 Tips to Create a Personalized Learning Experience

1. Create Learning for "Me" 
   It can seem relevant to send out learning materials about the latest new strategy for the entire company. But most manufacturing employees also want learning experiences that are relevant to 'me'.
   In that way, they don't feel like just a drop in the entire employee ocean of your company. Make sure they have tailored learning content suited to their role in the company or the specific area they work in. This can be due to safety reasons, for example. 
2. Elevate the Experience with Gamification & Adaptive Learning
   Gamification is when you use game mechanics in a non-game context. Learning something new is often more fun and engaging when you use gamification when creating manufacturing training courses.
   Simple gamification moves are, for example, adding a quiz, instant feedback, and interactive drag-and-drop elements. But you can also go big and create gamified graphic universes tailored to your company brand. Here, your employees, for example, can pick a character and go through the learning adapted to their own level and pace. 
3.  Access to a Learning Content Library
   Make sure that all employees can go explore a library of all your learning materials. Maybe, some want to explore a specific area of personal interest and build more competencies.
   

   In this way, you meet more of your employees' individual learning needs, preferences, and learning styles. And where to put all the learning materials and online courses? Read the next tip. 

4.  Use a Learning Platform for the Deskless Workers
   In the manufacturing industry, it's rare that all of your employees have access to a computer. However, most of them do have access to a smartphone. That's why a good tip is to make sure to use a learning platform, where employees can access all learning materials from any device.
   In that way, employees can learn about, for example, company products, safety training, or how to handle big machinery whenever it suits them. More about the benefits of using a learning platform to train manufacturing employees in the next chapter. 

Digital Learning Platforms in the Manufacturing Industry

Digital learning platforms provide an effective way to create manufacturing training programs and deliver personalized learning experiences in the manufacturing industry. Some platforms can even use AI to speed up the process of creating engaging learning content.

Digital learning platforms offer several advantages over traditional training methods:

1. As already mentioned, learning platforms provide access to online training materials anytime, anywhere. This enables workers to learn on their own schedule and at their own pace, for example, on a mobile device.
2. Digital platforms use a variety of formats, such as videos, interactive simulations, and gamification, to enhance engagement and retention.
3. They can collect data on workers' performance, which can be used to provide personalized feedback and recommendations.

Here are some examples of how digital learning platforms can be used in the manufacturing industry:

1. Onboarding: New employees can benefit from personalized onboarding and orientation programs that introduce them to the company's culture, policies, and procedures. Digital platforms can deliver this content through interactive videos, quizzes, and simulations.
   In the beginning, it's also often important that a manager checks whether a new hire can handle tasks on the floor. In some learning platforms, you can also add a manager-driven test module. Here, the manager checks off directly in the platform when a new hire has completed a test or can handle a new task. In that way, it's easier to check, whether a new hire can handle certain tasks in the everyday work.   
2. Compliance Training: Manufacturing companies must comply with various regulations and standards. Digital learning platforms can provide customized compliance training that covers the specific regulations relevant to each worker's job function.
3. Technical Training: Workers in the manufacturing industry need to learn a lot of technical skills. For example, how to operate machinery, perform quality checks, and troubleshoot problems.
   

   Learning platforms can deliver technical training that is more interactive and engaging. In this way, workers will have a better idea of the hands-on experience before they try out the tasks in real life. Read more about how to use blended learning.

4.  Soft Skills Training: Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, are essential for success in the manufacturing industry. Here, learning platforms can also deliver soft skills training through scenario-based simulations and with the use of gamification. 
5. Continuous Learning: With ongoing proper training and development opportunities workers can stay current with the latest technologies and practices. Just keep in mind to provide personalized manufacturing courses and feedback. In that way, workers can improve their skills and advance their careers in a way suited to them.

Sum-Up

• The manufacturing industry is continuously evolving, and employees need to develop new skills to keep up with the latest technologies, tools, and practices. Manufacturing companies must provide personalized learning and training topics that can help workers improve their performance, advance their careers, and ultimately lead to higher retention rates.
• Tips to create a personalized learning experience: 1) Create learning for 'me', 2) use gamification and adaptive learning, 3) provide access to a learning content library, and 4) use a learning platform for the deskless workers.
• Learning platforms offer several advantages over traditional training methods. This includes access to online training materials anytime, anywhere, using a variety of formats such as videos, interactive simulations, and gamification to enhance engagement and retention, and collecting data on workers' performance, which can be used to provide personalized feedback and recommendations.
• Learning platforms can be used for onboarding, compliance training, technical training, soft skills training, and continuous learning.