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4 Types of Training Methods for the Workplace - HRDQ
April 27, 2021 Bradford R. Glaser

4 Types of Training Methods for the Workplace

There are various types of training methods you can use to develop your employees. Depending on what you’re teaching, some of these methods may be more effective than others. It’s important to keep your topic and team in mind when selecting the best types of training method. To make the right selection, explore these four types of training for the workplace.

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click hereHRDQ offers a fully customizable virtual training library, so you can provide specialized training content to your team no matter where they are. Explore the Reproducible Training Library.

 

Soft Skills Training vs Hard Skills Training

First, it’s important to note that no matter what type of training method you use, you’ll always be training your team in either hard skills or soft skills. Soft skills include the personal qualities that make a great employee, such as accountability, excellent emotional intelligence, supervisory skills, and more. On the other hand, hard skills are teachable and measurable, such as computer skills, mathematical abilities, and graphic design skills.

Identifying whether you plan to train your team in soft skills, hard skills, or both can help you choose the best training methods to implement.

 

click hereAssess one of the most important soft skills in the workplace with this workshop: Accountability Experience

 

Here Are The 4 Types of Training Methods

4 Types of Training for the Workplace | HRDQ

click hereGet to know your preferred learning style for more effective training: Learning Styles Questionnaire

 

1. Instructor-Led Training

As the name suggests, instructor-led training requires a teacher to guide participants throughout the session. They facilitate the pace of the training, disperse information, lead participants in activities, and more.

Instructor-led training can take place in a virtual setting or a physical space. This type of training is great for tackling more complex topics, because an expert is present to answer questions as they arise. Plus, since an instructor controls the pace of the class, they can slow down when employees need more time with a topic and speed up through areas that the group quickly grasps.

If you need assistance in delivering your instructor-led training program, our professional trainers from HRDQ are happy to help!

 

click hereFacilitate an efficient learning experience: Classroom Training 101

 

2. Hands-On Training

Another common training method is hands-on training. Most often, this method can only be used in a physical setting. This is because it requires participants to learn by completing physical tasks that are pertinent to their job.

For instance, an assembly line worker could read about how to assemble a product, but could they put what they’ve read easily into practice? Instead, a better learning technique might be to allow the employee to physically assemble the product to see how it’s done.

Hands-on training is great for teaching necessary hard skills, but isn’t applicable for teaching soft skills.

3. E-Training

4 Types of Training for the Workplace | HRDQ

E-Training, also called eLearning, has continued to grow in popularity as a type of training method. This style of learning allows individuals to complete training sessions individually and at their own pace. It’s often comprised of a set of modules that participants must work through, which consist of various informational guides, games, activities, and assessments. Participants often cannot move to the next module until the prior one is completed, ensuring they spend time with the content and fulfill each activity or assessment to satisfaction.

One advantage of E-Training is that it allows users to work on modules even on mobile devices. Whether in transit on the subway or eating out for lunch, they can use this spare time to learn and complete training sessions. However, help is not as readily available with E-Training, so if a participant is stuck on a module, it’s primarily up to them to figure out how to move forward.

4. Simulations

Simulation training is an ideal way to prep your team to handle a variety of situations. This type of learning places participants in real-life scenarios to highlight and practice the best ways to respond. Simulation training is also applicable to both hard skills and soft skills.

For instance, a pilot might undergo simulation training using a VR headset to learn the hard skill of navigating a plane in an emergency. Alternatively, you can also set up a simulation to teach participants how to negotiate in stressful situations, which is a soft skill.

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4 Types of Training for the Workplace | HRDQ

Which will you chose for your type of training method?

We hope these four types of training methods for the workplace help you develop your team. If you’re ready to equip your employees with the skills they need to succeed, get started with HRDQ today. Our virtual training options allow your employees to complete sessions and workshops no matter where they are. Plus, we can help you design a training program in a style that fits your team’s exact needs. If you’re ready to experience the power of online training, view our virtual classes to get started!

Recommended Training
Accountability Experience
  • Responsibility & accountability
  • Team Empowerment
  • Perception of Organizational Culture
Learn more
Tags: Employee Growth, Hard Skills, HRDQ Virtual Training, Instructor-Led Training, Reproducible Training Library, Simulations, Soft Skills
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About our author

Bradford R. Glaser

Brad is President and CEO of HRDQ, a publisher of soft-skills learning solutions, and HRDQ-U, an online community for learning professionals hosting webinars, workshops, and podcasts. His 35+ years of experience in adult learning and development have fostered his passion for improving the performance of organizations, teams, and individuals.