Organisations are making jobs leaner. It is important that new employees learn work assigned as quickly as possible, say SJ Raj
As organisations continually work toward making jobs leaner and people more efficient, jobs are quickly being automated. The speed with which a new employee can learn their job directly affects the speed of production and efficiency of the employee. And so, it is not only the nature of work that is changing, but also the way work is learned.
Learning and Working Simultaneously
Picture an industrial set up where a new engineer, who was given on-the-job training through audio, visual, and demonstrative sessions, comes across a machine he has never operated before. Considering that it is likely that engineer would not remember their training completely, they may fumble with the machine.
Now picture the same new engineer faced with a new machine, but this time, the machine has an automated bot giving real-time instructions on how to operate it. The new employee not only hears the content, but simultaneously gets hands-on experience with the machine directly.
Since participative learning methods, such as practice,result in a much higher retention rate of new learning than passive learning methods, such as lectures and demonstrations, this real-time training not only results in faster learning, but also makes the employee productive much sooner.
As repetition is the best way to strengthen new skills, a new employee may use the instructions from the bot every time until they feel completely ready to operate/work on their own. Such participative learning methods are more engaging, and the learner is unlikely to zone out while learning hands-on.
Rise of Smart Technology-Aided Learning
While more and more companies have incorporated virtual training labs, some are now also experimenting with virtual reality and augmented technology-based learning programmes, creating life-like situations to learn from.
Such applications are especially valuable in supporting engineers and technicians to learn the specific nuances of their roles on the job itself. For other non-mechanical roles, cloud-based, hands-on virtual labs continue to offer the cognitive learning and practice required for better retention.
AI is being used to design individual learning programmes by understanding and capitalising upon the individuals’ information, such as experience, educational backgrounds, personality insights, career goals, and learning preferences. This AI-assisted learning allows employees to take control of their learning and development with content that can be updated in real time.
AI and bots are also enabling faster and more accurate learning. Bots used for hands-on training may be programmed to pick up on feedback and comments from new employees in real time, tag that feedback appropriately, and get other employees or trainers to share their thoughts, expertise, and experiences, thus maintaining the human touch to the learning process.
Ideal Training Model
Great on-the-job training is a collective of methods, including simulation, practice, coaching, experiencing, and peer learning. On-the-job training must allow a learner to continuously reinforce what has been taught through practice.
As organisations step into the future and push to train their employees more efficiently and comprehensively, support from automated bots and artificial intelligence, paired with the expertise of mentors and senior management, is helping to build the ideal on-the-job training platform.