Partner Training for Manufacturing

Partners are key in manufacturing because they extend your capabilities. A well-trained partner network ultimately leads to higher customer satisfaction. But how do you ensure that your partner network has the necessary know-how to successfully support your offerings? This article discusses strategies for an effective partner training program and best practices for high-quality partner training in the manufacturing industry.

The challenge of keeping partners informed

You're building a complex product, and every few months, new components and functionalities are added. That's the reality for many manufacturers today—from robotics to advanced materials science, the industry is constantly evolving.

Continuous innovation presents a challenge in keeping the partner ecosystem informed. Partners, whether they’re distributors, resellers, installers, or service providers, are the bridge between your company and the customer. If they're not equipped with the latest knowledge, it can cause issues. For example, insufficient understanding of new technologies can lead to safety lapses. Also, a lack of proper training can negatively impact product adoption which can result in dissatisfied customers and a damaged brand reputation.

Strategies for an effective partner training program

Below are four strategies to close the knowledge gap to help your partners operate at peak performance.

1. Laying the groundwork: Mandatory online training

• Rationale: Imagine a complex new product—before anyone jumps into hands-on operation, understanding its core functionalities is the first step. Online foundational training modules serve this purpose perfectly. They provide partners with a solid grasp of the latest technical specifications, key features, and basic operational principles.

• Implementation: Develop a series of online modules that address the core knowledge base required to work with your products. This could include detailed video tutorials and downloadable resources. Consider making the content modular, allowing partners to focus on specific areas of interest, such as advanced features or troubleshooting procedures. Require completion of the modules as a prerequisite for attending in-person workshops or certification programs.

• Example: For a new medical device, online modules could discuss the device's functionalities, explain proper patient interaction protocols, and outline basic troubleshooting steps.

• Benefit: This approach is not only cost-effective and scalable, allowing you to train a large number of partners simultaneously, but it also ensures a consistent baseline of knowledge across your entire partner network.

2. Building trust: Contractual mandates for pre-interaction training

• Rationale: Safety is important, especially when dealing with complex or potentially hazardous products. Contractual mandates for pre-interaction training send a clear message—your company prioritizes partner safety, and by extension, the safety of end-users.

• Implementation: Integrate pre-interaction safety training requirements into your partnership agreements. This could involve mandatory online modules or in-person workshops focused on specific areas like handling hazardous materials, operating machinery, or adhering to safety protocols. Regular refresher training can be incorporated to keep partners up-to-date on evolving regulations and best practices.

• Example: If your company manufactures robotic equipment for industrial settings, contractual mandates could enforce safety training for personnel who will be installing, operating, or maintaining the equipment, as well as their supervisors.

• Benefit: This strategy minimizes potential liability and fosters trust and confidence between your company and your partners. Partners appreciate the commitment to safety and feel prepared to represent your products with professionalism.

3. Empowering expertise: Partner certification programs

• Rationale: Offering certification programs elevate your partner network because it demonstrates a commitment to professional development and sets your partners apart as industry experts.

• Implementation: Develop a comprehensive certification program tailored to your specific products or technologies. This could involve a combination of online modules, in-person workshops, practical skills assessments, and final examinations. Consider offering tiered certifications based on experience levels, allowing partners to grow their expertise over time.

• Example: Let's say your company manufactures energy-efficient building materials. You could develop a certification program for contractors that install your innovative materials so they have the expertise to maximize energy savings for end-users. Check out this case study to learn how Procore built a certification program and scaled training efforts with Skilljar.

• Benefit: Certification programs ensure partners meet a minimum quality standard in representing your products.

4. Ensuring adherence: Metrics and compliance tracking

• Rationale: Effective training goes beyond delivering information. It's important to monitor partner engagement with the training programs and monitor adherence to safety protocols.

• Implementation: Use a Learning Management System (LMS) to track training completion rates and certification statuses. Develop a dashboard to get insights into partner engagement across different programs and regions. Regular progress reports can identify areas where additional support or targeted training might be needed.

• Example: The LMS can track completion rates for online modules and certifications earned by partners. This data can be used to identify partners who haven't completed essential training, allowing you to offer personalized support. Skilljar, a partner training solution, offers built-in analytics capabilities and tracks many metrics.

• Benefit: By monitoring metrics and enforcing compliance, you ensure your training programs are effective and maintain a high level of safety throughout your partner network.

Best practices for partner training in the manufacturing industry

Here's how to implement best practices for partner training:

• Identify knowledge gaps through needs analysis: Conduct a comprehensive needs analysis before developing any training materials. Gather direct input from existing partners across different roles and levels within these roles (sales, distribution, service) to understand their current level of product knowledge, areas of difficulty, and desired learning outcomes.
  
  
• Enhance learning with interactive formats: Use interactive training methods that promote active learning and knowledge retention. Develop interactive simulations and even 3D product demonstrations. Then, present real-life scenarios and case studies relevant to your partner's specific industry or customer base.
  
  
• Bridge the gap between learning and doing: Don't let training exist in a vacuum—clearly connect the theoretical knowledge gained in training courses and practical application in the field. Develop a comprehensive onboarding program for new partners that integrates initial product knowledge training with practical demonstrations and mentorship, hands-on opportunities.
  
  
• Implement an LMS: Use an LMS to house training materials, updates, and partner resources. This centralized platform provides easy access to the latest information for partners and internal training teams.

Benefits of using an LMS for manufacturing training

Let's explore how an LMS elevates manufacturing training initiatives:

• A centralized hub for learning: An LMS eliminates the need for scattered training materials and fragmented learning experiences. It provides a central repository for all training content, including webinars, video tutorials, and downloadable resources. This ensures easy access for learners and simplifies content management.
  
• Flexibility and scalability: An LMS offers the flexibility to create and deliver a variety of training programs, catering to diverse partner roles and learning styles. Plus, an LMS allows you to seamlessly onboard new partners and expand your training initiatives as your business grows.
  
• Enhance retention: An LMS offers a variety of tools and features to promote active learning and engagement. Interactive elements like quizzes, discussion forums, and gamification techniques can boost knowledge retention and make learning more enjoyable for partners.
  
• Automated efficiency: An LMS automates workflows, such as certification and compliance tracking. This eliminates manual processes and ensures partners have the necessary skill sets to represent your products effectively.

Scale manufacturing training with Skilljar

Skilljar is a cloud-based LMS designed for businesses to train their partners. Our user-friendly platform allows you to create comprehensive training modules that can be easily accessed and updated anytime, anywhere. 

Skilljar isn't just about delivering information—it's about fostering engagement. Create interactive training modules, incorporate multimedia content, and integrate gamification elements to keep your partners learning.

Get a Skilljar demo to learn how our software can improve your partner training initiatives.