The Pros of Hands-on Training

Hands-on training allows a trainee to practice what he's learned.

During lecture-based training sessions, potential employees do not learn nearly as much as they would have when participating in hands-on training. Alternative training methods are not only more expensive than hands-on training, they do not provide promising retention rates. Hands-on training has more benefits than other forms of training including higher retention rates and the ability for cross training and demonstrations.

Financial and Time-saving Benefits

Many employers book a facility separate from the place of work to lead a lecture-based training session. Training off of the job is more costly than training at the place of work. Not to mention, time spent putting together an audiovisual presentation or preparing for an instructor-led session could have been spent training individuals at the workplace. According to the Hands-On Training Alliance, on-the-job training times are cut in half with hands-on training. It is also noted that faster training times lead to increased productivity, as new employees are quickly ready and able to take on the job presented.

Cross Training

Training on the job and engaging in hands-on learning provides a trainee with the opportunity to experience the job first hand. It allows the trainee to ask questions, learn more than one position and understand what it's like in a coworker's position. Cross-training also provides the company with well-trained individuals who are capable of completing more than one task. Employees better understand what it takes to achieve their objective.

Demonstrations

Hands-on training is an engaging experience for trainees. They're able to see how equipment is operated and learn safety procedures first hand. At the end of the session, trainees are able to ask questions to supervisors and co-workers regarding equipment or safety. As a result, trainees better understand job requirements and procedures seeing them in person as opposed to hearing someone talk about them.

Retention Rates

Washington State Department of Agriculture held an event in which student's learned to handle pesticides. The Department of Agriculture noted that when adults use a hands-on approach to practice what they've learned, retention rates are higher. In fact, 75 percent of the information is retained. On the other hand, lecture retention rates were significantly lower; only 25 percent of the information was retained by adults.

References

• Hands-on Training: Producing Results
• BLR: The Most Effective Training Techniques
• WSDA PesticideNotes; Hands-On Training Boosts Students' Retention; July 2002