Training is critical for measurement technicians as not everything they learn is intuitive. Ensuring that technicians are well prepared for their roles starts with a structured and thorough training program. A comprehensive approach to setting up, creating, and evaluating training is essential for building a competent team. By investing in a robust training program, companies can ensure their measurement technicians have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their tasks accurately and efficiently.

Setting Technicians Up for Success

The success of any training program lies in the planning and preparation. Training programs should have clear goals and expectations set for the instructors and students. Often, this starts with developing baseline criteria for what employees currently know and where they need to be. This can often be done through a needs analysis. When evaluating gaps in skills, remember that employees should have a core focus and not be over-diversified. A lack of depth in their knowledge can make technicians less efficient in the long run. 

After planning the training, it is important to set clear expectations with students regarding what to expect from the course, the time they should allocate, and what resources they may need to complete the training. Lastly, training is only valuable when it is put into practice. To ensure retention, employees should be allowed (and encouraged) to put into practice what they have learned.

Creating Training Programs

The most effective training leverages a blended program structure. This structure involves multiple knowledge tiers with varied instruction at the basic, foundational, and applied levels.

Basic Knowledge

This level can be achieved in various educational environments through short sessions with or without an instructor, such as web-based training, lunch and learns, or webinars.

Foundational Knowledge

Foundational knowledge is obtained in various educational environments—likely with an instructor present. These sessions feature opportunities for feedback and knowledge sharing amongst instructors and students and typically have a longer instructional period. The most effective way to obtain this knowledge level is through instructor-led training (ILT), a series of interactive webinars, or on-the-job training.

Applied Knowledge

Applied knowledge puts what is learned in the foundational knowledge stage into practice. This level is best achieved through repetitive opportunities at different sessions, allowing technicians to become highly proficient. This is typically done through onsite instructor-led training, on-the-job training, and third-party training.

Evaluating Training with the Kirkpatrick Model

Anytime training is delivered to a team, it is important to examine its effectiveness. A standard for evaluating training is the Kirkpatrick Model, which has four levels of evaluation: reaction, learning, behavior, and results.

Reaction

This is the most basic level of measuring how engaged and active employees were and how they reacted to the training. This can be assessed through surveys that concentrate on what the learner took away from the course.

Learning

The learning level focuses on measuring what students have learned and what they haven’t. It also gauges their confidence and motivation to apply what they have learned. Methods of assessment include exams or interview-style evaluations.  

Behavior

The behavior level involves observing the application of skills in the workplace and determining whether the learner was truly impacted by the learning. This involves assessing behavioral changes to determine if the training was effective. If there is not a behavioral change, the training was likely not effective.

Results

The final level, results, measures the company’s direct results from the training initiative. It compares the outcomes to key performance indicators (KPIs) established before the program started.

GTA develops all web-based courses utilizing the first two levels of the Kirkpatrick model to allow for easy analysis of employees’ learnings.

Ultimately, creating and investing in training programs not only enhances the efficiency of measurement technicians but also contributes to the overall success of the company. GTA has web-based, instructor-led, and skill-builder (on-the-job) training courses developed by subject-matter experts to help you develop your training programs. Contact us to learn more.