Shake it, stir it, mix it, blend it. Combining digital and on-the-floor training is a powerful way to boost employee engagement, improve learning retention, and save time and money.
By creating a balanced blend of these two approaches, you can equip your frontline workers with the skills they need to excel in roles that often require a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
So how do you set the stage for a balanced blend of digital and on-the-floor training? Let us show you how you can create a balanced mix of blended learning that is scalable and will help learners acquire well-rounded skills and become confident professionals.
Table of Content
1. Prepare the Blend
2. Digital Foundation
3. Interaction & Visual Demonstrations
4. Immersive On-The-Floor Experience
5. Continuous Digital Reinforcement
6. Assessments & Fine Tuning
1. Prepare the Blend
Before diving into the mix, it's essential to define your learning objectives. Consider whether you want to impart theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills, or a combination of both. Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can identify where digital delivery shines and where on-the-floor engagement is required.
- Digital Delivery: Ideal for foundational knowledge, theoretical concepts, and introductory information. For example, a retail associate might learn about product lines and company policies through digital modules.
- On-the-Floor Engagement: Essential for tasks that demand tactile expertise, nuanced decision-making, and real-time adaptation. A manufacturing worker, for instance, might learn how to operate specialized machinery through hands-on training.
But remember to create a red thread throughout the learning journey. Your digital and on-the-floor training needs to support one another well so that your employees can easily connect the dots and see the purpose behind it all.
2. Build a Digital Foundation
Start your employees’ learning journey by laying a solid foundation. And to do so, digital modules are great! Let the modules serve as the anchor of knowledge, setting the stage for a successful integration of skills on the floor. Consider incorporating:
- Interactive Elements: Gamified learning, simulations, and quizzes can make digital training more engaging and help learners apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. For example, a hospitality worker might practice handling difficult customer situations through a simulated role-playing game.
- Expert-Led Demonstrations: Short videos featuring experienced employees can provide valuable insights and practical tips. A retail associate might watch a video demonstrating how to fold clothes efficiently on the sales floor.
The digital preparatory modules can build a strong knowledge base upon which all later learning can build. When your employees then step onto the floor, they bring with them a foundational understanding making it faster and easier for them to grasp and connect the dots between the more complex elements encountered during hands-on training.
In other words, the digital foundation serves as the launchpad, supporting your workers to go out on the floor with bigger confidence.
Remember that you can use digital training already in your preboarding, helping your employees gain confidence for their first day.
“Now, we can let the people get the basics with digital learning before they come to class, which gives a better experience for everyone.”
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Krist Viaene, Academy Manager, Lindab |
3. Interaction & Visual Demonstrations
Use digital training to support your physical training better by incorporating interactive elements that connect to real-world scenarios.
It’s great for very theoretical concepts, as it makes it easier to grasp and convert into practical skills once your employees are out on the floor.
Another way to make learning more engaging and prepare your workers to be on the floor is by showing them how it is done.
Imagine yourself learning directly from the pros who've mastered the craft. For example, you can use experts such as senior workers to demonstrate various things in short videos. It can be all from how to use, do or handle certain tasks, machines or situations.
Expert-led demonstration videos offer learners a front-row seat to watch experienced practitioners perform tasks, navigate challenges, and employ best practices, unveiling nuances that only experienced staff can provide.
4. Immersive On-The-Floor Experience
Transition to on-the-floor training where employees can apply their knowledge in a practical setting. Consider:
- Hands-On Exercises: Facilitate activities that mimic real-world tasks. A manufacturing worker might practice assembling products on the production line.
- Mentorship: Pair new employees with experienced workers for guidance and support. A retail associate might shadow a seasoned sales associate to learn about customer service techniques.
"The basic things that will be through e-learning. But of course, we still have to have the personal touch, the relation building and things like that."
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Hilde Rotbakken Sønnichsen, Chief HR Officer at Uhrenholt |
5. Continuous Digital Reinforcement
Learning is not a one-time event; it's a journey of continuous growth and refinement. To sustain and strengthen what learners have gained through the digital foundation and on-the-floor training, digital learning is perfect. Here are a few tips to keep your workers' knowledge sharp and up to date:
- Microlearning Modules: Use bite-sized portions of knowledge, perfectly tailored to meet specific learning needs. Microlearning modules are your secret weapon for keeping the learning fire alive. The brief digital lessons, no longer than a few minutes, should deliver targeted insights, refreshers, and problem-solving tips.
- Refresher Courses: Offer refresher courses that provide a structured recap of key topics covered during initial and on-the-floor training. Schedule regular refresher sessions to ensure skills remain sharp and at the forefront of your employees' minds.
- Accessible Digital Resources: Ensure all digital resources are easily accessible through a user-friendly platform that can be reached on any device at any time, where learners can revisit content at their convenience.
6. Assessments & Fine Tuning
Regularly assess the effectiveness of your blended approach. Ask for feedback from participants and trainers and evaluate learning outcomes. Use these insights to fine-tune content, delivery methods, and the balance between digital and on-the-floor elements.
Check out how Specsavers maximizes business impact through employee training. Hint: They measure, assess, and fine-tune their training initiatives!
