How to Build a Successful Machinery Manufacturing Training Program

Manufacturing companies must keep their partner network educated so they can effectively sell and service complex machinery. Traditionally, hands-on manufacturing training has been the go-to method, but this approach can be resource-intensive. While hands-on training remains valuable, the industry is turning to online training programs to bridge the skills gap and deliver engaging digital-first learning experiences. 

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This article explores best practices for creating a successful machinery training program, along with key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure its impact.

What is a machinery manufacturing training program?

A machinery manufacturing training program is an educational initiative designed to equip partners with the specific knowledge and competencies needed to sell or service machinery. It includes a detailed curriculum that covers various components, including:

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• Product knowledge: Detailed information on the features, functions, and technical specifications of the machinery, so partners have a deep understanding of the equipment they are selling or servicing.
  
  
• Installation and setup: Step-by-step guidance on how to properly install and set up the machinery, including any necessary tools, safety protocols, and troubleshooting tips.
  
  
• Maintenance procedures: Comprehensive instructions on routine maintenance practices to keep the machinery running efficiently, including schedules for inspections, lubrication, and part replacements.
  
  
• Troubleshooting and repair: Training on diagnosing common issues and performing repairs, enabling partners to provide timely and effective support to their customers.
  
  
• Safety and compliance training: Education on the relevant safety standards and regulations to ensure that partners can operate and service the machinery in accordance with legal and industry requirements.
  
  
• Sales techniques: Strategies and tips for effectively marketing and selling the machinery, including how to highlight key benefits and address customer concerns.
  
  
• Customer support best practices: Guidance on delivering excellent customer service, including how to handle inquiries, provide technical support, and manage customer relationships.
  
  
• Certification and assessment: A final evaluation to assess the partner's understanding and competency, often leading to certifications from industry regulatory bodies that verify their capability to sell or service the machinery.

Best practices for your machinery training program

To make your machinery training program effective, you must follow certain best practices. Let's take a closer look at these guidelines.

1. Understand the audience

One cornerstone of an effective machinery training program is a deep understanding of the learners. It's not just about identifying current skill levels, but also thinking about their roles, responsibilities, and learning styles. This knowledge comes in handy for tailoring training content and delivery methods to maximize impact.

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Create detailed learner profiles based on your user base. Consider factors such as job roles, previous training, and experience level with machinery. This information will help you identify specific training needs and gaps.

2. Conduct a comprehensive training needs analysis

Once you have a full understanding of your audience, the next step is to conduct a thorough training needs analysis. In addition to identifying skill gaps, think about how to bridge the gap between current performance and desired outcomes.

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• Assess their technical proficiency. Are they familiar with basic computer operations? Do they have experience with specific software applications used? This evaluation will help determine the level of technical skills training required.

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• Compare desired performance levels with the actual performance. Are there specific quality metrics not being met? Identifying these performance gaps will pinpoint the exact area of training focus.

3. Monitor effectiveness

Finally, measuring the impact of your machinery training program is key for continuous improvement. Try to look beyond basic metrics and find out the program's true value.

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Here’s how to calculate the ROI of your training program.

• Start by determining the total cost of the program, including development, delivery, and administrative expenses. 
• Identify the KPIs linked to the training objectives. some text
  • Start by determining the total cost of the program, including development, delivery, and administrative expenses.
  • Identify the KPIs linked to the training objectives, such as increased productivity, reduced error rates, or improved knowledge retention.
• Measure the improvement in these KPIs after the training and calculate the monetary value of this improvement. 
• Subtract the total training cost from the monetary value of the improvement to determine the net return. 
• Divide the net return by the total training cost to get the ROI percentage.

Steps to build an effective manufacturing training program

Creating a successful manufacturing training curriculum involves several steps, including:

Step 1: Create goals for your training program

Your training program is crucial for a skilled workforce, so defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals is key here. 

To begin with, align your training objectives with your company's broader strategic goals. Your training should directly contribute to these overarching objectives. Then, consider your learners’ current skill set and identify gaps. Are there specific machinery or software skills lacking? Your training goals should bridge these gaps.

Step 2: Develop your training materials

Building effective training topics and materials is the heart of a successful manufacturing training program. Every piece of training material should directly correlate to your training goals. Whether it's a safety procedure, machine operation, or quality control, the content in the modules should be relevant and tie to the user and company goals of the training.

Make your training materials interactive—include quizzes, assessments, and opportunities for trainees to provide feedback. This helps you assess understanding and make necessary adjustments.

Step 3: Choose effective training delivery methods

How training is delivered significantly impacts its effectiveness, so consider a blended approach combining different methods for optimal results. For example, for hands-on skills and group interaction, in-person or virtual classroom training is invaluable. Workshops, demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions facilitate knowledge transfer.

Step 4: Invest in the right training technology

Now, you have to invest wisely in training technology to streamline the delivery and management of your training programs. First, decide on the optimal training delivery method or a combination of methods that align with your training goals and learner preferences. Consider factors like content complexity, learner accessibility, and desired learning outcomes when making this decision.

When selecting a Learning Management System (LMS) or training technology platform, prioritize features that simplify content creation and management. Look for user-friendly authoring tools that allow you to create engaging online courses without extensive technical expertise. Robust content libraries and templates can accelerate the development process.

Built-in analytics capabilities are also important for measuring training program effectiveness. The platform should provide insights into learner engagement, completion rates, and performance metrics. This data helps you identify areas for improvement, optimize training content, and demonstrate the impact of your training programs on business outcomes

Consider scalability—choose a platform that can accommodate increasing numbers of learners and expanding training content. Consider features like user roles and permissions for effective management of large-scale training initiatives.

Step 5: Continuously update the program

Just like machinery and technology evolve, so should proper training. To keep your training relevant, keep a close eye on these indicators:

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• Knowledge gaps. Do you notice recurring errors or inefficiencies in specific areas? This might indicate a gap in skills or knowledge that can be addressed through updated training modules.
  
  
• Technological advancements. New machinery, software, or automation systems often require upskilling. Update your training content to keep learners proficient in using these advancements.
  
  
• New trends in the manufacturing industry. Regulatory changes or manufacturing practices might necessitate adjustments to your training program.
  
  
• Learner feedback. Gather feedback about the effectiveness of your training courses. Look for suggestions to improve content, delivery methods, or learning outcomes.
  
  
• Demand for new skills. As your business evolves, so too will the skills needed by partners and customers. Identify emerging skill gaps and create training modules to address them.

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Remember, these are just some signs, and a comprehensive training needs analysis is always recommended to keep your training program aligned with your manufacturing environment.

KPIs to measure successful machinery manufacturing training

These KPIs will help measure the success of your machinery manufacturing training program:

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• Training completion rate (+ time to completion). For machinery training programs, completion is often mandatory before interacting with or operating the equipment. The training completion rate tells you what percentage of learners finish the program, and time to completion helps gauge how efficiently they are progressing. While a high completion rate is expected, it’s important to assess whether learners are truly engaged and absorbing the material, as a quick completion time could indicate the training is too easy or lacks depth.

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Keep an eye on the time to completion alongside the rate. If people are rushing through the program very quickly, it suggests they might not be absorbing the information effectively.

• Assessment scores. This is a clear indicator of how well learners absorb the knowledge presented in the training. High scores show they understand the machinery and can apply that knowledge. Low scores might point to areas in the training that need improvement or a need for additional hands-on practice.
  
  
• Safety incident reduction. Safety training is crucial in any manufacturing environment. Tracking safety incidents after the training program helps determine if people are following proper procedures and if the safety training was effective in preventing misuse.
  
  
• Certification pass rate (if applicable). If your program offers industry certifications, a high pass rate demonstrates learners have achieved a recognized level of competency.
  
  
• Training satisfaction score. Learner satisfaction with the training experience matters. If they find the program helpful, they're more likely to be motivated to learn and retain the information. This can lead to better overall program outcomes. 

Build your manufacturing training program with Skilljar

Skilljar is an LMS that organizations use to build and deliver high-impact training programs for manufacturing companies. On the content creation side, Skilljar provides intuitive tools to easily build engaging online courses, upload videos and reference documents, and manage your entire training library in one centralized location. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple platforms and makes it simple to keep your training materials up-to-date. Plus, Skilljar's built-in analytics capabilities track many KPIs to help identify areas for improvement and continuously refine your training program for greater impact.

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‍Get a demo to discover how Skilljar can optimize your machinery training program.