Hybrid Training Solutions for Manufacturing

Hybrid training solutions transform the way manufacturing companies educate partners and customers. This approach combines the flexibility of online learning with the benefits of instructor-led training. This article discusses traditional manufacturing training challenges, then outlines best practices for building effective hybrid training programs with a SaaS learning platform.

What is hybrid training?

Hybrid training blends eLearning with traditional in-person instructor-led sessions. In a hybrid model, learners typically complete self-paced online modules, videos, or other digital content on their own time. This is supplemented by periodic live, face-to-face interactions with an instructor and other learners. The in-person sessions can be used for activities like discussions, hands-on practice, group projects, or to dive deeper into complex topics.

The goal of hybrid training is to leverage the strengths of both online and in-person learning to create a more engaging, flexible, and effective overall learning experience. Hybrid models allow organizations to provide more accessible and personalized training, while still maintaining valuable instructor guidance and collaborative elements.

Challenges in traditional manufacturing training

Many manufacturing companies struggle with delivering traditional training courses. These are the most pressing issues:

• High costs: Traditional in-person training often requires significant investment in travel, accommodations, training materials, and venue arrangements, making it expensive for both providers and participants. These costs can also be prohibitive for smaller partners or customers and limit the frequency of training.
  
• Limited reach: Time and geographical constraints can limit access to training, making it difficult for global partners and customers to receive consistent, timely updates on the latest features, techniques, or troubleshooting methods.
  
• Inconsistent knowledge transfer: The quality of in-person training can vary depending on the instructor, potentially leading to inconsistent product understanding across different partners, reps, or customer groups.
  
• Product complexity: Modern manufacturing equipment and processes are often highly complex, making it difficult to convey all necessary information in limited traditional training sessions.
• Rapid product updates:  Traditional training programs may struggle to keep up with quickly changing manufacturing technologies and practices. This can lead to outdated or irrelevant training materials.
• Safety gaps: Safety protocols may not be adequately addressed in traditional training, putting team members at risk for accidents. Think about training for building electric vehicle (EV) engines—one mistake could have serious consequences.
  
• Scalability issues: As a manufacturer's partner and customer base grows, it becomes increasingly challenging to provide comprehensive training to all parties using traditional methods.

Best practices for designing effective hybrid customer training programs

Here are three best practices to build winning hybrid customer training programs and improve partner and customer success:

1. Blend VILT with eLearning modules: Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) allows for real-time interaction with an instructor, perfect for in-depth discussions and demonstrations. Combine this with engaging eLearning modules that trainees can access anytime, anywhere, for a flexible and comprehensive learning experience.
   
2. Understand learner groups: Partners and customers have varying levels of knowledge and preferred learning styles. Researching and analyzing the learner groups upfront helps you understand these differences. As a starting point, develop a needs assessment survey or interview process with, for example, the Director of Education or Training to identify your learners' specific knowledge gaps.
   
3. Prioritize hands-on training: For some critical skills, there's no substitute for hands-on experience. So, depending on the complexity of the equipment and safety considerations, consider incorporating hands-on training sessions into your program. This could involve inviting trainees to your facilities for supervised practice with actual machinery.

How an LMS platform can enhance your company's hybrid learning

A Learning Management System (LMS) is software for creating and delivering online courses, managing learner enrollment, and tracking progress, all in one user-friendly platform. Here's how an LMS can enhance your company's hybrid learning strategy:

• Centralized hub for training materials: An LMS is a central repository for all your training materials, including online modules, course documents, videos, and job aids. This ensures both onsite and remote learners have access to the information they need whenever they need it.
  
• Blended learning made easy: The LMS platform facilitates creation of a seamless hybrid learning experience. You can combine synchronous instructor-led face-to-face sessions with asynchronous online training modules. This allows for flexibility and enhances the partner and customer experience by enabling them to learn at their own pace and revisit key concepts, as needed.
  
• Improved training delivery via data-driven insights: Most LMS platforms offer reporting and analytics tools. These tools provide dashboards showing data on learner engagement, completion rates, and areas where customers might be struggling. Using these metrics, you can improve your training content, messaging, and delivery methods, ensuring they remain relevant for your hybrid workforce.
  
• Scalability and adaptability: The strength of an LMS for manufacturing companies is in its scalability. As your learner base grows, the platform can easily adapt to accommodate new training needs. You can quickly add new courses, update existing content, create new training formats, and onboard additional learners without significant additional resources.

Building effective hybrid training with an LMS platform

Here's how your LMS platform enables you to create an engaging learning experience.

1. Conduct a needs assessment

This initial step will help you create a roadmap to ensure training content directly addresses knowledge gaps and skill deficiencies. Partners and customers come with a diverse range of experiences—some may be new to your products, while others may have specific challenges related to integrating your technology into their existing processes. So, a well-crafted needs assessment helps you understand these individual needs and allows you to tailor the training program to resonate with each group.

2. Embed real-world scenarios

Infuse eLearning modules with case studies that mirror real-life challenges partners and customers might encounter. These case studies could highlight how your product was successfully implemented to overcome specific problems, improve efficiency, or achieve desired outcomes.

Take it a step further by incorporating interactive simulations into your eLearning program. Simulations allow learners to practice their newly acquired knowledge in a safe, virtual environment. For example, the simulation could involve troubleshooting a common equipment malfunction, configuring a specific product setting for optimal performance, or navigating a complex manufacturing process.

3. Optimize engagement through multiple training methods

Use the LMS's content authoring tools or integrate with external content creation software to develop interactive eLearning modules that incorporate multimedia elements like videos, animations, simulations, and gamification. These techniques help keep learners engaged and actively involved in the learning process.

Use the LMS platforms to schedule and host virtual classroom sessions. VILT sessions are ideal for in-depth discussions, complex skill demonstrations, and real-time Q&A. Instructors can leverage screen sharing, collaborative whiteboards, and breakout rooms within the LMS to facilitate interactive learning experiences.

Another advantage of an LMS is its ability to deliver asynchronous learning opportunities. Develop a library of on-demand eLearning modules that cover specific topics or procedures. This allows learners to progress through the training materials at their own pace. Use a variety of formats such as video, audio, PDFs, and live and recorded webinars. 

Embrace the future of manufacturing training with Skilljar

The manufacturing landscape demands a dynamic training approach, and Skilljar is a leading LMS that empowers you to address this need. Our platform facilitates engaging VILT sessions, allowing you to deliver in-depth training remotely while fostering real-time interaction and Q&A sessions. 

But Skilljar goes beyond VILT. Our platform offers features for online learning, including interactive modules, content authoring tools, and progress tracking. This allows you to create a complete hybrid training program that blends the benefits of online learning with the interactivity of instructor-led sessions.

‍Get a Skilljar demo to learn how our LMS solution can help you deliver more effective hybrid training experiences for manufacturing training.