What Is On-The-Job-Training?

On-the-job-training or OJT is a time-efficient and cost-effective method of training and developing employees, utilizing a company’s internal resources, knowledge, and talent. It is usually the principal method used for upskilling employees, increasing production, and improving efficiency.

Deeply rooted within the context of psychologist Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, on-the-job-training is an effective combination of observational and experiential learning. Allowing employees to develop the skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to execute their job functions at a high level.

Learning how to address and overcome occupational challenges through the systematic observation, analysis, and application of the newly learned skills or techniques. We as humans most effectively learn new behaviors through observing a model performing a behavior and witnessing the consequences of that behavior.

We then retain the behavior and its outcome, using that information to guide our subsequent behaviors. The psychology behind how we as humans best learn new behaviors is at the core of on-the-job-training.

With on-the-job-training, employees first observe their trainer repeatedly completing a series of tasks and achieving the desired result. Then, after observing for some time, the employee will perform the tasks themselves to achieve the same desired outcome. The focused learning of on-the-job-training speeds the learning processes while providing a consistent quality of training across all employees.

America Is at a Crossroads as Her Skilled Workforce Is Rapidly Declining

Empowering more industries and professions to develop structured on-the-job-training programs is the first step to bridging America’s skilled labor gap. The second step is positioning America’s future workforce to achieve prosperous career growth by equipping them with the tools to thrive in the 21st-century economy, without incurring debilitating student loan debt.

There is a multitude of complex micro-activities that must be executed to achieve this simplistically macro-solution assessment to America’s skilled workforce challenges. However, that doesn’t negate the immense impact structured on-the-job-training, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs are already having on the American workforce and economy at large.

Structured on-the-job-training programs are overseen by a designated training supervisor and follow standardized employee development plans which encompass both classroom and field learning components. That is then facilitated by designated trainers.

These training plans include multiple milestones and knowledge checks to ensure employees are properly prepared to succeed in their roles. The more structured an on-the-job-training program is, the more effective it tends to be.

This is because employee engagement increases tremendously when they are receiving training and development. As a result of effectively upskilling employees a company will experience increased productivity, profits, and employee satisfaction.

As well as, drastically decreasing retention, productivity inefficiencies, and external training costs. However, wage reimbursement, subsidies, and grants provided by the government are often overlooked due to the intricate processes and oversight. Yet they are an attractive benefit of implementing an OJT program.

Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs Are an Integral Aspect of Developing the Next Generation of American Led Innovation

Equipping America’s future workforce with the tools to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Will hinge on the aggressive implementation of vocational education and apprenticeship programs into K-12 education. Getting America’s youth curious about and engaged in vocational career opportunities will have a remarkable impact on the future workforce.

Apprenticeship programs systematically integrate on-the-job-training combined with vocational classroom instruction. That is guided by a master-level journeyman. Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated profession.

Most of their training is done while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn their trade or profession. In exchange for their continued labor for an agreed period after they have achieved measurable competencies.

On-The-Job Training Is the Preeminent Method to Upskill America’s Workforce

It is economical, simple, and effective, and can be implemented by companies both large and small. It doesn’t require wide-ranging budgets, complex training courses, devoted training staff, or absence from the workplace.

All it requires is a commitment to engaging and upskilling employees to efficiently meet production demands. Developing a pool of highly trained frontline employees ready to capitalize on internal or external career growth opportunities.

The effectiveness of on-the-job-training will be significantly enhanced by applying a strategically structured approach to training and developing employees. Yielding impressive results and adding immense value to the American economy.

To learn more about how OJT.com can help you achieve your workforce onboarding, training, and retention goals, email info@ojt.com.