On-the-job training (OJT) is a method of learning how to perform or improve a job while in the role. It involves hands-on teaching and coaching, focusing on practical skills and knowledge needed to perform the job. This training occurs in a normal work environment rather than outside the workplace in a classroom or virtual setting. Hiring the right person for a job is just the beginning of setting them up for success. Today’s jobs are constantly evolving, with new tools and systems being used, and employees need to learn how to perform the job in a new way. On-the-job training effectively allows employees and employers to deliver specific and continuous learning.

On the Job Training

ON-the-job training (OJT) is internal training that focuses on integrating new employees into their work environment. It is typically less formal and involves experienced colleagues, managers, and HR members helping individuals develop professional skills and capabilities.

OJT often involves side-by-side mentoring, modeling, and coaching, where employees pass their skills and knowledge on to a new or less-skilled employee. This participatory training has several benefits for an organization and its employees, especially for onboarding. It is a handy form of onboarding training, so it should be added to a new hire checklist.

What Is on the Job Training Used For

On-the-job training (OJT) is a crucial form of workplace training that equips employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job safely and effectively. It involves listening to others explain and demonstrate key processes and procedures, and then carrying out these tasks under their supervision. There are various types of OJT, including structured, unstructured, blended, and standalone training. Structured training programs, such as apprenticeships and internships, are designed by employers and involve various stages before being signed off by a supervisor or manager. Unstructured training, on the other hand, involves shadowing a colleague to understand their approach to the job.

On-the-job training offers several advantages, including fostering a team atmosphere, developing new skills, and improving job performance. It is cost-effective for companies as it occurs within the work environment, avoiding expensive external training programs and absences. Employers can tailor OJT to suit their business needs, teaching skills, and knowledge directly relevant to their roles. In summary, OJT provides employees practical skills and knowledge to perform their jobs efficiently, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.

Benefits of on the Job Training

The benefits of on the job training are as follows:

Professional guidance helps you stay on track

It’s important to remember that it’s normal to make mistakes at work when you first start. If you work under the direction of a professional, you can reduce this risk and stay safe at work. This is especially important if your new job requires you to use heavy gear or specialized tools.

Staff members with a lot of experience can teach you the right way to do things. You’ll be less likely to get into bad habits or mess up this way. Professional guidance is also a safety net because it gives you someone to talk to if something goes wrong.

Training people on the job saves money

It can be pricey to train people, especially in scientific fields. Companies may sometimes ask you to pay for your journey and, if there isn’t a required training event, to help pay for outside trainers and guest speakers. These costs can be cut down with on-the-job training, giving people quick access to resources. Put another way, you can learn quickly and effectively and start making money as an employee instead of spending money on training.

It can be used easily

Manuals can be dangerous if they’re the only way to give information because different people understand it in different ways. This doesn’t happen because training programs allow workers to practice their skills before they are certified. Instead of flipping through several pages of text to find the right answer, you can talk to your bosses or look at online classes to get the necessary information.

Your boss will probably also be able to tell when you’re doing something wrong, even if you’re unaware. When this happens, reading a guidebook isn’t helpful because you don’t know what must be fixed. With on-the-job training, your boss can give you real training when needed and change how you do things so they are more useful.

It can help you remember things better.

You are more likely to remember what you have learned in the future if you get it through real-life experience. This is because you can picture what you need to do when you’re in a similar hands-on situation. Employers can benefit from your high level of productivity and feel more comfortable giving you more skill-based jobs early on if you are more likely to stay with the company.

It helps you save time

With on-the-job training, people can learn new things whenever they need to. Simply put, micro-learning is what happens during on-the-job training. This means that people learn in small chunks as needed. It teaches new employees techniques that are focused on the short term and are important to their job. Employers spend time and money to teach you what you need to know instead of trying to teach you everything at once. In other words, this means that workers get more targeted learning that helps them learn important skills faster.

Learning in the classroom doesn’t always prepare you for the job. In turn, this means that workers waste more time trying to figure out when and how latest knowledge is useful. You can avoid these problems and learn faster with the help of professionals who know what they’re doing and how the business works if you get training on the job.

Training on the job encourages working together

As a new worker getting trained on the job, you get to work with your bosses and coworkers right away. This close touch makes you feel more at ease when you get to work and makes it easier to make friends with people around you. Over time, you’re more likely to trust the people you work with, so training on the job immediately encourages a team spirit. Working with others can help you understand how things work at work and help you share team goals and tasks.

It keeps employees from leaving

Employee churn is the number of people who quit their jobs each year. This rate is probably higher when workers can’t meet standards or feel bad at their job. On-the-job training lowers this risk because you learn skills immediately and can improve them by practicing and talking to other workers.

There are opportunities to meet new people at work and get used to a new place because on-the-job training asks experts in the field to oversee new employees. This makes it less likely that someone will quit because they don’t feel like they belong or are alone at work.

There will be paid training

Companies pay you to learn new skills because you’re still helping the business run while you’re learning. You won’t have to look for part-time work or use your savings to pay for your living costs while you learn for your new job. But before you think your company will pay for your training, check with your boss or hiring manager.

It gives you the chance to learn new things

Some people like jobs that push them and help them become better people. This is helped by on-the-job training, which lets you improve your skills through fun activities. If you can get involved and learn new things, you’re more likely to be interested in learning, whether it’s a new skill or first-hand knowledge.

It makes people more productive

As a trainee employee, you don’t need to waste time taking knowledge tests or meeting a certain number of training hours at a different place. You can start working immediately after getting training on the job, which can boost business output immediately.

As you get used to your new job, you will be less productive for the first few days. However, if you combine training with online resources, you can improve your skills and learn how to do chores better and faster. Higher productivity levels make the workplace more pleasant and give you confidence in your skills.

On the Job Training Methods

There are several methods of on-the-job training, each with its unique approach and benefits:

• Coaching or One-on-One Training: This method involves a manager or a subject-matter expert providing one-on-one training to recruits. The coach guides the new employees through their duties and highlights what is required to work efficiently and successfully in the team and wider business.
• Mentoring: This is a one-on-one method where a senior team member or manager works directly with someone and aids them through their work. Mentoring might be daily or consist of weekly sessions to discuss goals and feedback.
• Job Instruction Training (JIT): In this method, a trainer frames a step-by-step training program for the employees. It consists of instructions and demonstrations for the trainee to complete their tasks. It begins with an overview of job responsibilities and expected results and continues with a description of the skills required.
• Job Rotation: This method involves moving employees between their assigned roles. It promotes experience and variety by switching a new employee to various positions. This is a great way to give employees an overview of the entire process.
• Internship: An internship is when a student or recent graduate works at a company in their field to gain experience. Interns are usually not paid, but they may receive school credit.
• Delegation of Authority: The on-the-job training method is a practical division of employee tasks. A manager is responsible for supervising the entire operation.
• Apprenticeships: This method is more common with tradespeople or craftspeople. Apprenticeships can last for many years. They are only completed when the apprentice has learned everything about the trade and is ready to work independently.
• Understudy: This type of training is also long-term. The understudy works in an assistant-type role and assists until the superior is unavailable, retires or transfers responsibility.

Conclusion

On-the-job training is highly effective for new employees to develop or sharpen their skills and gain real-time expertise and knowledge in their field of interest 1. It can be a cost-effective way to train employees, as it occurs within the actual work environment. It often doesn’t require expensive external training programs or the absences associated with these. However, it’s important to note that on-the-job training is unreliable. If a professional lacks skills and a desire to learn, they will execute their tasks incorrectly, leading to correction and clumsiness. Therefore, effective communication with employees and constant feedback on various procedures is an excellent way of improving on-the-job training.

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References

• Better Up
• Indeed