Effective training programs improve employees’ skills, morale

Successful manufacturing companies exhibit many common attributes, like strong leadership, competitive compensation and clearly defined goals. Such companies also have talented, well-trained workforces. However, many companies fail to recognize the benefit of having well-designed, effective training programs.

Beyond Button Pushing

Training bolsters workforce morale by providing an opportunity for personal growth. People typically think of growth in terms of dollars, often forgetting intellectual growth. Employees want to feel they contribute to an organization by providing ideas and solutions.

One of the most common statements I hear from people at my shop is, “I don’t want to be a button pusher for the rest of my life.” This sentiment is echoed throughout the manufacturing industry.

Advanced training allows and encourages employees to learn new skills and accept greater responsibility, feeding their desire to grow. Detailed training programs demonstrate that a company is confident in the abilities of its workforce, both motivating individuals and spurring their creativity. Frankly, a shop full of button pushers is far less desirable than a shop full of skilled, creative and motivated craftspeople.

Advanced training developed for a specific machine lets an operator understand all its capatilities.

Effective training not only motivates the workforce but positively affects the bottom line in other ways. Diversity of skills in the workforce creates flexibility, which, in turn, allows for creative scheduling. For example, our shop’s employees are often expected to work 24/7 on hot service jobs. To ensure that critical operations, like automated welding, do not stop, we need the ability to shift normal work schedules. An organization can then more easily adjust to fluctuations in demand. Diversity of skills also mitigates risk associated with attrition, improves problem-solving and aids process improvement.

Machine tools and manufacturing processes are complicated. The combination of turnkey manufacturing processes, attrition and lack of training creates situations in which an employee can operate a machine without truly understanding all its functions and capabilities. Advanced training developed for a specific machine tool or manufacturing process works to close that knowledge gap. Greater knowledge of the machine or process encourages creativity and initiates process improvement.