…and I’m expected to attend training?

Business, customers, expectations, time pressures, different employees, change.

Wherever we look these days things are changing and more often than not it appears to be out of our control. Then on top of this we are expected to attend training, is it really necessary? Does the training have to be for that long? Can’t I just attend for a day? I have a job to do you know.

Some great questions

If your employer is providing more than just a couple of hours of training, then they consider it important. For training is expensive. (But ignorance is even more costly!)

One thing that many of us overlook is the fact that training is a sign of commitment to the investment of a change programme in a business.
When a company provides not just one or two hours per person and “leave them to it” approach, but one day upwards depending on their role. This is a significant investment and a sign the company is taking this change as an important step for our future.
We know that taking time out from the “day job” is tough. This is tough on you and your manager.
In every change some of us experience difficulties or discomfort. Any change needs to address the issue of discomfort before and during the change, or during and after.
There is no easy option. We believe having this “pain” upfront is a short, sharp pain, rather than a long and difficult one if we do not train people properly. We believe that taking shortcuts is not an option. Failure is also not an option!

What are we doing?

Often when the training is for a technology change there are often two types of training, SuperUser and EndUser training. The majority of us will get the EndUser training. SuperUsers are people that work alongside us, often our peers, and are there to help us when we use any new system for the first time-

The best Strategy

Is not to learn how to fill in fields and boxes, but learning the full process (the new way of working) and not just the “bits” you need gives the context, and will improve the quality of the data in the new system. Knowing not just what you need to input, but where and why data is used provides context. Firms could take the quick and dirty option of training just what people need, but that is short term focused and rarely adds real values and just frustrates people.

Top tips for anyone undertaking systems training

1. Make sure your manager briefs you before you attend – know why you are there & when the new processes and new way of working will be available to you
2. Be committed to the training, do not attempt to work at the same time
3. Ask questions during the training if you are not sure of anything
4. After the training, Make use of the training login you have and practice with colleagues before go-live
5. The real learning does not happen in the classroom, but when you do the work for real. Your peers and SuperUsers are there to help you

Much like learning to drive, we learn more when we have our license than before, training is the same. In the training we will help build your confidence and knowledge, your competence will build as you use the new processes and the new way of working for real.