Syndy Thrash
Evans Enterprises, Inc.
You’ve probably heard the adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well, if you’ve ever had a dog, you know that with careful training, that’s not always true.
Along the same lines, those of us in the electromechanical repair industry have probably heard an employee or coworker say: “We’ve always done it that way. If it works, why change?” Here, too, with the proper training, most of the time we can learn a better, more efficient way do something that we’ve always done.
The latest “Management Pulse” survey on employee training provides valuable information on the resources, time devoted to and emphasis on training reported by those who participated in the survey.
Survey results:
- Of 124 respondents, 83% reported that they provide on-going, in-house training for employees; 17% do not.
- Of 99 respondents, 63% said they provide informal (not in a class setting) during the work day; 33% said they formal training during the work day; and 4% said their training is conducted through personal study (while not at work).
- 50% of 121 respondents said they have a formal training or an orientation program for new employees; 50% do not.
- Surprisingly, only half of 119 respondents said they participate in EASA webinars (more on this later).
- 81% of 119 respondents said they encourage off-site training for employees; 19% do not.
- Of 119 respondents, 79% pay the employee for his or her wages while training off site; 21% do not.
- 80% of 118 respondents said they do not compensate employees based on the number of training sessions they attend; 20% do.
- Of 117 respondents, 33% pay an average of $500 or more on training per technical employee per year; 29% pay up to $500; 8% pay up to $100; 3% pay none; and 27% do not know.
- 78% of 117 respondents report that their employees are required to undergo a certain amount and type (e.g., safety) of training for some customers; 22% do not.
EASA webinars are invaluable
Personally, I found that the most surprising result above was that only half of survey respondents participate in EASA webinars. We’ve found EASA webinars to be invaluable to our corporation. At Evans Enterprises, we require training on a regular basis. Besides the fact that it’s required for our ISO certification, it’s just a good practice.
EASA webinar topics range from basic motor maintenance to extensive pump and safety to just about every facet of our industry.
Make it a lunch-and-learn session
Last year, while at our Oklahoma City facility, I sat in on EASA’s “Core Repair and Restack Techniques” webinar. We always serve pizza, making it a worthwhile lunch-and-learn session. Each webinar is followed by questions and answers that can be as informational as the webinar itself (especially when participating technicians offer tips of their own). Following this particular webinar, our technicians continued the discussion.
“Learned something new today”
Out of the blue, one of our long-term managers (and I mean long term) shouted out: “I learned something new today!” That was the best thing I heard all day – and that week. Evans Enterprises has been in business for 60 years, and it continues to be an exciting place to work. Even if you’ve worked here for 45 years, there is always something new you can learn. It can be a new technique, process, materials or a safety tip that will save you money. Whether you’re a large company or small, EASA webinars are truly beneficial.
The cost for EASA webinars is only $59 for each member location ($199 for nonmembers). And you then have the opportunity to listen to the presentation for another 30 days. If you haven’t participated before, I highly recommend that you try it. EASA’s instructors are very knowledgeable. And you’ll probably be just excited as I was if you hear another employee shout out “I learned something new today.”
Training, training, training. There’s no replacement for it.
EASA’s Management Services Committee appreciates those members who took the time to participate in our Management Pulse survey.
Related Reference and Training Materials
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