Guide to building an efficient training program with effective results 

The reasons for creating a technical skills and workplace training program vary almost as much as the course topics your team might need. Based on Plant Services’ special research report and the 2024 market survey of approximately 200 manufacturers, respondents providing technical training were allowed to select multiple reasons for offering their maintenance team members training. Amongst other answers, they said they were looking to: 

How to get started with a more efficient training program 

Include these steps when creating or revising your training plan for ultimate effectiveness: 

• Get feedback from your team: Find out what they want to learn, where they think they could benefit from training, and what their personal goals are 

• Define needs: Conduct a training needs evaluation with an outside auditor to reduce internal bias, or evaluate internally if you’re strapped for time 

• Set realistic goals: Whether it’s related to the amount of downtime, skills measurements, improved efficiency, or other figures you’re looking to hit, plan goals that are reachable, with improvements measured over time 

• Consider different styles of training: Ask your team if they find it more effective to learn from a live expert instructor, via online training courses, or by practicing via a simulator 

• Make a training deployment plan: Decide how you’ll roll out your program, who will be receiving training, any requirements around when they can train, how you’ll track progress, and which topics are most relevant for each role 

• Seek ongoing feedback: Talk to your team about what is working, what could be improved, and if there are additional topics that will help them succeed 

• Optimize time and resources: Ensure the right people are administering training and that they are spending as little time as possible managing and measuring your program’s results 

The need to reduce time spent administering training 

According to the survey, supervisors or managers are not the only team members who spend time administering training. 1 in 8 technicians spend nearly a whole day every week doing administration tasks, taking them away from their critical work maintaining your equipment. 

• Maintenance supervisors & managers: Over half of these highly knowledgeable team members spend significant time on administration of their training programs. 33% administer training for 5-8 hours a week; 18% spend over 8 hours each week on administration alone 

• Maintenance technicians: Of those tasked with everyday maintenance and repairs, 13% reported spending 5-8 hours a week on training administration 

If you can streamline your training effectiveness and time to administer programs, it frees up valuable time – time your technicians and managers can put to much better use. 

Build efficiency into your program by choosing the right platform 

Lean on tools built into your learning management system: 

Learn more about Fusion, TPC’s learning management system.

Need to chat with a training expert? Let us know.