T is for Training @ #ATD2019 Monday Monday 2 Paul Smith @paulsmithATD author of Learning While Working

Paul Smith (@paulsmithatd) discusses his new book Learning While Working which focuses on successful training while in a particular position.   I was lucky enough to hear his briefing and record an interview with him.  That interview is coming up soon on this same @tisfortraining station.

NB — This is an edited stream of consciousness note taking.  This only scratches the surface of the book.

Many places treat OTJ (On The Job) training as an episode of survivor, sink or swim.

Organizations should treat OTJ training just like regular structured training.  It should have consistent goals and outcomes just like a successful n or outside of the traditional classroom setting.

Known objectives work to keep younger learners engaged.  Keep them in the drivers seat with upfront objectives shared at beginning of job cycle.

Good SOTJ (Structured On The Job) training program builds on a specific job role not the whole company. if there is just a sink or swim training mentality, the good people leave after four years.

Best to have specific tasks not just general Know excel but know how to x in excel.

There are two things that all good SOTJ training programs have:

Number One:

Sit down with specific role and identify specific and measurable things to be considered competent.  Doesn’t matter the size of the job.  Both learner and organization must know specific tasks to ensure learner success.  This list is a living document, not set in stone for eternity.

Must be specific measurable competencies in a position.

It can be a painful but beneficial journey to make organization position skills consistent throughout an organization leaving room for customization and local enhancement.

Once you do that you go to Two which is:

How do you know that they are competent?   Must evaluate observable output so someone else can evaluate position competence.

Don’t think of On The Job Training as that but think of a  competency based training.  While there is a place in the workplace for classroom training, job specific training is different from the information dissemination class training experience.

OTJ should be competency based learning to help you the worker establish a sense of competence in what you need to know to successfully do you job.   Use the measurable items to determine success of training and program.

You can use a competency based learning program that is completely  organized and viewed up front can be used as a recruitment tool.

Mentors love the list of competences so there is a consistent training foundation and expected outcomes with the benefit of helping a mentor guide the learner leading to project success.

What makes a good program works is accountability   Somebody must monitor and measure so the job gets done.  The employee has a list of measurables, the mentor has list, then there is an independent development coordinator to meet with the learner to evaluate the measurable items and what they have successfully completed in time x and what hey plan do to in the near future.