7 Benefits of Custom Employee Training Programs

Custom employee training programs boost performance and save money. Here's why they're essential:

1. Focused skill building
2. More involved employees
3. Better information recall
4. Higher work output
5. More value for money
6. Easy to change and update
7. Builds a stronger workplace

Quick comparison:

Custom training isn't just nice to have. It's a must for companies that want to stay ahead. Let's dive into why it matters and how to do it right.

Why Custom Training is Needed

Generic training often misses the mark. Here's why custom training is crucial:

1. Targets Specific Skill Gaps

Off-the-shelf training? Too broad. Custom programs? Spot-on.

West Wind Dairy nails it with a mix of video and in-person training. Their employees learn skills they'll actually use daily.

2. Aligns with Company Culture

Generic training can't capture your company's unique vibe. Custom programs can.

Take Milk Source LLC. They created Milk Source University to grow leaders. Their two-year program? All about skills like communication and problem-solving, tailored just for them.

3. Boosts Learning Outcomes

One-size-fits-all? Not for learning styles. Custom programs can cater to different preferences:

4. Cuts Costs

Generic training? A waste. Custom programs? Focused and efficient.

Think about this: US companies spend up to $1,886 per employee on training yearly. Bad training? It costs businesses a whopping $13.5 million per year, per 1,000 employees.

5. Engages Employees

Relevant training = engaged employees. It's that simple.

In fact, 75% of learners say good workplace training would make them stick around.

6. Keeps Up with Changes

Custom programs can pivot quickly. New industry trends? No problem.

As Bob Milligan, a consultant and coach, puts it:

"My greatest takeaway is that employees desire training more than employers think they want training."

Custom training isn't just nice to have. It's a must-have for companies that want to stay ahead.

1. Focused Skill Building

Custom training targets the exact skills your team needs. It's like a tailored suit - it fits just right.

Here's why it works:

1. Targets job-specific skills

Custom programs teach skills employees use daily. No fluff, just what matters.

West Wind Dairy does this well. Their mix of video and hands-on training covers skills staff use every day on the farm.

2. Fills skill gaps

A skills matrix shows where your team needs help. Custom training fills those gaps.

A medium-sized healthcare provider faced a nursing assistant shortage. They partnered with a local college to create a clinical-training program. The result? 200 new nursing assistants ready to work.

3. Matches business goals

Custom training links learning to your company's aims. It's not just training - it's a business tool.

Milk Source LLC set up Milk Source University to grow leaders. Their two-year program teaches skills like communication and problem-solving, all tailored to their needs.

4. Adapts to different learning styles

People learn differently. Custom training caters to this:

5. Keeps up with changes

Industries change fast. Custom training can keep pace.

When a big company buys a smaller one, custom courses can quickly teach new staff about the company's culture and ways of working.

The goal? Make training count. As John E. Hunter and Rhonda F. Hunter note in the Psychological Bulletin:

"Hiring for skills is five times more predictive of job performance than hiring for education and more than two times more predictive than hiring for work experience."

Custom training builds these skills, making your team more effective.

2. More Involved Employees

Custom training programs keep workers interested and active in learning. They do this by making the content fit each person's job and needs.

Here's how tailored training boosts involvement:

Matches learning styles: People learn differently. Custom programs use various methods:

Links to real work: Training that uses real job tasks keeps workers engaged. They see how it helps them day-to-day.

Gives control: Letting staff pick some training topics makes them more invested. They feel part of the process.

Offers bite-sized learning: Short, focused sessions fit into busy schedules. This micro-learning approach works well.

Sam's Club showed this in action. They gave store workers short lessons on handheld devices. Staff could learn while working, not sitting through long training.

Uses tech smartly: Tools like EchoPoll make training more lively. Workers can join in from anywhere, using phones or computers.

Builds skills step-by-step: Custom programs can grow with the worker. As they improve, the training gets more advanced. This keeps it challenging and interesting.

Kevin Kruse, CEO of LEADx, says:

"Nudges engage learners by delivering bite-size, personalized, and applicable information."

These nudges remind workers of key points, helping them use what they've learned.

3. Better Information Recall

Custom training programs boost memory. Why? They fit jobs and learning styles.

Here's how tailored training helps:

Matches learning styles: People learn differently. Custom programs use the right methods:

Links to real work: Using actual job tasks makes training stick. Workers see the daily benefits.

Bite-sized learning: Short, focused lessons fit busy schedules. This micro-learning approach improves retention.

Sam's Club example: Store workers got quick lessons on handheld devices. They learned while working, not in long sessions.

Smart tech use: Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) personalise training. They adjust based on each worker's needs and pace.

Step-by-step skill building: Custom programs grow with workers. As skills improve, training advances. This keeps it challenging and memorable.

Tips to make training stick:

• Use acronyms for complex info
• Self-test on key ideas
• Schedule regular reviews
• Create mind maps or flashcards
• Engage multiple senses when learning

4. Higher Work Output

Custom training boosts work output. Here's how:

Job-specific skills: Workers learn exactly what they need. No time wasted on fluff.

Faster problem-solving: Staff who know their stuff fix issues quickly. More gets done.

Less babysitting: Well-trained employees work solo. Managers can tackle other tasks.

Real-world proof:

"Our custom training program led to a 57% jump in sales and a 37% rise in gross profit per employee", - American Society for Training & Development study.

To crank up work output through training:

1. Measure results: Track KPIs before and after.
2. Use real tasks: Apply new skills to actual work during training.
3. Offer quick lessons: Provide focused learning when it's needed.

Focus on performance, not just learning. As Andrew Jacobs, CEO of Learn Learning Services, says:

"Learning should be part of the business, not just lined up with it."

5. More Value for Money

Custom training packs a punch for your budget. Here's why:

It's laser-focused on what your team needs. No fluff, no wasted time.

It keeps your staff around. 94% of employees say they'd stick with companies that invest in them. That's a big deal when replacing a worker costs about £3,000.

You can use it again and again. Create once, train many times.

And it sticks. Job-specific training boosts retention by 55%.

Let's crunch some numbers:

Sure, custom training costs more upfront. But the long-term payoff? Huge.

Just ask IBM. They switched to custom tech training and saved £150 million. That's not pocket change.

Want to max out your value? Try these:

1. Go online to cut costs
2. Scale up your onboarding
3. Zero in on job-specific skills

Custom training isn't just an expense. It's an investment that pays off big time.

6. Easy to Change and Update

Custom training programs are a game-changer when it comes to quick updates. Unlike off-the-shelf courses, you can tweak them on the fly to match your company's evolving needs.

Why does this matter? Simple:

• Tech moves fast
• Company policies change
• Job roles shift

With custom training, you're not stuck with old info. You can refresh your content FAST.

Here's a real-world example:

Western Governors University (WGU) uses a flexible learning model. It lets students study when and where they want. This approach helped one employee finish an MBA while travelling for work.

But it's not just for big schools. Small companies can do it too. New Charter University offers affordable, flexible degrees. Their prices? £160 a month for undergrads and £265 for grads.

Want to make your training easy to update? Try these:

1. Use online platforms for quick edits
2. Break content into small chunks
3. Set up a regular review schedule

Keeping your training fresh isn't just nice - it's crucial. The workplace changes fast. Your training should too.

"The fact is that now employers and their employees have choices. They have choices as to how and when they receive education and how much it costs."

This quote nails it. Custom training gives you those choices. You can change what you need, when you need it.

Bottom line: Custom training programs are like a Swiss Army knife for learning. They bend and flex to fit your needs, keeping your team sharp and ready for anything.

7. Builds a Stronger Workplace

Custom training does more than teach skills—it strengthens your entire workplace. Here's how:

Better teamwork: When teams train together, they work better as a unit. This means smoother projects and fewer mistakes.

Shared goals: Custom training gets everyone on the same page about company aims. The result? Staff pulling in the same direction and getting more done.

Happier workers: Training shows you care about your team's growth. And happy workers tend to stick around longer.

The numbers back this up:

• 36% of workers would quit without training opportunities
• Teams with engaged members are 17% more productive

Google's "80/20 Rule" lets staff spend 20% of their time on passion projects. This has led to new products and happier workers.

Microsoft's yearly Hackathon gets different teams working together. It's sparked new ideas and stronger bonds between departments.

Want to build stronger teams? Try these:

1. Mix up your training styles
2. Ask staff what they want to learn
3. Include team-building in your plans

Custom training isn't just about skills—it's about building a stronger, more unified workplace.

How to Create Custom Training Programs

Want to build a killer training program for your facilities management team? Here's the lowdown:

1. Figure out what you need

Take a good look at where your team's falling short. Maybe they're struggling with HVAC systems or safety protocols. Make a list of these weak spots.

2. Set some goals

Don't just say "we want to get better." Get specific. How about this:

"Cut maintenance response times by 20% in 6 months. How? By beefing up our tech skills training."

3. Plan your attack

Mix it up. Online courses are great for the basics, but don't forget hands-on stuff for the nitty-gritty skills.

4. Make it yours

Off-the-shelf won't cut it. Create videos showing YOUR building systems. Set up simulations for YOUR emergency procedures.

5. Get it rolling

Time to launch. But heads up:

• Don't mess up your day-to-day operations
• Tell everyone why this matters
• Be there to help if someone gets stuck

6. Check if it's working

Keep an eye on the numbers. Are response times actually dropping? Ask your team what they think. And test their skills regularly.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Oh, and don't forget to get your team involved. As William Lash from Penn State puts it:

"Talk to your people. Find out what they actually need before you start designing."

Checking if Training Works

You've rolled out your custom training program. Now what? Here's how to measure its impact:

1. Set clear goals

Decide what success looks like. Example: "Cut maintenance response times by 20% within 6 months."

2. Track the numbers

Monitor key metrics. If you're aiming to boost productivity:

3. Ask your team

Get feedback from trainees. Use surveys or chats. Ask:

• How often do you use what you learned?
• What's been most helpful?
• Where do you still struggle?

4. Test their skills

Run practical assessments. Time how long it takes staff to diagnose common HVAC issues before and after training.

5. Look at the bigger picture

Is training helping your bottom line? Check for:

• Fewer customer complaints
• Lower equipment downtime
• Reduced staff turnover

6. Calculate ROI

Is the training worth it? Use this formula:

ROI = (Benefits - Costs) / Costs x 100

Example: A £10,000 training program led to £25,000 in savings.

ROI = (£25,000 - £10,000) / £10,000 x 100 = 150%

You got £2.50 back for every £1 spent.

7. Keep at it

Don't check just once. Monitor progress over time. Some benefits take months to show up.

Wrap-up

Custom employee training programmes pack a punch for facilities management teams. Here's why:

1. They zero in on the skills your team actually needs.
2. Your staff care more because the training fits their job.
3. People remember stuff that's made just for them.
4. When training hits the mark, work gets done faster.
5. You're not wasting cash on irrelevant fluff.
6. Easy to tweak as your business shifts gears.
7. It builds a team that's always learning.

The future of FM training? It's all about getting personal and tech-savvy. Check this out:

Here's a wake-up call: young people aren't lining up for building and trades jobs like they used to. In fact, applications dropped by 49% from 2020 to 2022. Custom training could be your secret weapon to tackle this problem.

Want to nail your custom training? Do this:

• Know what you want to achieve
• Use data to see if it's working
• Ask your team what they think
• Check if skills are improving
• Figure out if it's worth the money

Custom training isn't just a nice-to-have. It's a must-have for FM teams that want to stay ahead of the game.

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