Robust Training Programs are Essential for Manufacturers to Attract and Retain Employees
Manufacturing is undergoing a dramatic transformation as a wave of older workers are retiring, taking decades of invaluable tribal knowledge and experience with them. The new generation of frontline workers is stepping onto the factory floor, bringing fresh perspectives and technological fluency. However, many still lack the hands-on skills or years of experience of their predecessors. The generational shift is coupled with rapid technology advancements in automation and digital transformation that are reshaping the manufacturing landscape and creating both challenges and opportunities for companies.
To thrive in this evolving environment and combat labor challenges, manufacturers must adapt their approach to onboarding and training to ensure that both new and existing employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the new landscape. Bringing new employees into a manufacturing environment requires effective onboarding and training programs that allow you to capture tribal knowledge and translate it into effective, multimedia-rich content that resonates with the modern workforce.
Studies from the Brandon Hall Group indicate that a strong onboarding process significantly boosts new hire retention and productivity. In fact, they reported that organizations with robust onboarding see an 82% increase in new hire retention and a 70% boost in productivity. Deloitte reports that labor is the top concern for manufacturers in grappling with the ongoing skilled labor shortage.
Programs must cover all training requirements to build a skilled workforce, but it is critical to note that onboarding and upskill/reskill training serve different purposes within the employee journey. Onboarding familiarizes employees with the company’s overall context, including its culture, values, and organizational structure. It can also include basic training for a worker’s specific job or function. On the other hand, training for upskilling or reskilling equips employees with the specific skills and knowledge needed to excel or grow in their roles and contribute effectively to manufacturing processes.
By combining comprehensive onboarding with effective training, you will cultivate a more engaged, skilled, and productive workforce. Still, it’s important to break down and understand the differences and how they work together to ensure manufacturing success.
Frontline Training: Onboarding vs Upskilling and Reskilling
While distinct in their objectives, onboarding and continuous training in manufacturing share the common goal of preparing employees for success. Onboarding acts as the initial welcome, immersing new hires in the company culture and providing a broad overview of the organization. It introduces them to the company’s mission, values, and policies, familiarizes them with the workplace, and covers essential safety procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) needed to get started in their role. Onboarding is the foundation for a worker’s journey with the company.
Ongoing training dives deep into the specifics of the job and ongoing upskilling or reskill opportunities. It equips your workers with the practical skills and knowledge required to perform their roles effectively and continuously grow into new opportunities. Ongoing training includes hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and practice exercises focusing on equipment operation, safety protocols, quality standards, and step-by-step work instructions to ensure competencies and quality. Training provides employees with the tools and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the manufacturing process and continue to evolve their skills.
Although separate processes, onboarding, and continuous training often overlap. For example, initial safety training might be included in the onboarding process, while ongoing training may reinforce protocols or include updated safety training processes. Standardizing work instructions ensures process updates and safety processes are always up-to-date to ensure ongoing compliance. The key to a successful training program is to view them as complementary parts that work together to create a well-rounded and effective employee development experience that improves employee retention and manufacturing quality.
Why Training and Onboarding Are Essential for Manufacturing Success
Modern manufacturing employee success hinges on ensuring your next-generation workforce is equipped with onboarding, and continuous training programs become absolutely crucial to your success. They are the cornerstones of a thriving manufacturing operation, impacting everything from safety and compliance to product quality and overall efficiency.
A well-structured onboarding program acts as a welcoming gateway for new employees by immersing them in the company culture and providing a comprehensive understanding of your values and critical standard operations for their role. Effective onboarding helps create a sense of belonging and sets the stage for the long-term success of your new workers. When employees feel connected and engaged, they are more likely to be productive and committed to upholding standards.
Ongoing training programs provide employees with the specific knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles while giving them the mechanisms to upskill and reskill employees into new roles. The program should include technical skills related to equipment operation, safety protocols, quality control procedures, and more. Digital work instructions give you a single source of truth for scalable training that equips employees with the necessary expertise and empowers them to perform their tasks efficiently, accurately, and safely.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Digital Work Instructions for Your Onboarding and Training Programs?
The benefits of implementing digital work instructions for effective onboarding and training extend far beyond individual employee performance and contribute to overall manufacturing success. Choosing digital work instructions for onboarding new employees and delivering a continuous training experience gives your business the stability and structure needed for scalable and efficient processes.
The benefits of digital work instructions for your onboarding and continuous training programs include:
- Enhanced Safety: A comprehensive onboarding process emphasizes safety from day one, ensuring that new hires are well-versed in safety protocols and procedures. Ongoing training reinforces these practices and keeps employees updated on the latest safety standards, minimizing the risk of accidents and creating a safer work environment.
- Reduced Turnover: A strong onboarding and training program helps new hires feel valued and integrated into the company, leading to higher retention rates. Ongoing training and development opportunities further demonstrate the company’s investment in its employees, fostering loyalty and reducing turnover.
- Improved Compliance: The manufacturing industry is heavily regulated, with strict standards for environmental practices, product quality, and workplace safety. Thorough training ensures that employees are aware of and adhere to these regulations, reducing the risk of compliance violations and potential legal issues.
- Elevated Product Quality: Well-trained employees are more likely to produce high-quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations. Training programs that focus on quality control procedures and best practices empower employees to identify and address potential quality issues, leading to greater consistency and customer satisfaction.
- Increased Efficiency: By providing employees with the skills and knowledge needed to perform their tasks effectively, training programs boost productivity and efficiency. Prioritizing employee success through training can lead to reduced production costs, faster turnaround times, and improved overall operational efficiency.
Manufacturers are Implementing CDS Mentors to Standardize Onboarding and Training Programs at Scale
CDS Mentor for digital work instructions empowers manufacturers to create robust onboarding and continuous training programs that engage employees and improve manufacturing processes. By providing a centralized platform for standardized work instructions, CDS Mentor ensures consistent training delivery, enhances knowledge retention, and drives continuous improvement in employee performance and procedures.
Learn why Belvac chose CDS Mentor for digital work instructions and how they reduced training time by 41%.
