Dive Brief:
- The vast majority of organizations use on-the-job training by managers in order to meet their front-line training goals, but high turnover is a common obstacle to providing that training, according to a recent Association of Talent Development survey sponsored by learning management software platform Axonify.
- The survey of 334 talent development professionals found a gap in the ability of organizations to solve turnover’s effect on training; 80% of respondents said they thought they could overcome turnover and provide necessary front-line training, but nearly half said they did not know how they could accomplish this.
- Common training methods employed by respondents’ organizations included managerial coaching, job shadowing and knowledge sharing. Eighty-four percent said they did not currently use artificial intelligence for front-line training, and many stated that they did not believe staff had the knowledge to implement AI-enabled training, according to ATD.
Dive Insight:
That most employers have honed in on on-the-job training aligns with previous findings about the format’s value. A 2021 report by the Milken Institute and Infosys found that on-the-job training received particular approval from employees and managers, followed by licenses and certifications, online courses and university degrees.
On-the-job training can take many forms. Manufacturers like Bosch have folded on-the-job training into larger apprenticeship programs that prepare employees for long careers with their firms. Others have experimented with site-specific training, which can drive better performance, engagement and motivation, according to a 2024 report by Intertek Academy.
The new year also may allow firms to address the gap in learning and development opportunities between front-line and office employees. But training isn’t a cure-all for front-line employee burnout, a previous Axonify report found, and employers might need to consider offering more pay, benefits and resources as well.
While most employers in the ATD and Axonify survey said they were not using AI to train front-line employees, that has not stopped employees from using AI in training themselves. Results of a Moodle report published last month found that 52% of surveyed U.S. workers had used AI tools to complete mandatory work training.
