Console Operators are eager to learn, yet there are obstacles in the learning process that can get in the way. Before embarking on a training program, make sure you have the following in place:
- Great training materials that tie the course objectives to the actual process
- Knowledgeable instructors that have both technical information and excellent teaching skills
- A clean, uncluttered classroom setting with whiteboard, overhead projector, flip charts, and other teaching props
Be sure to include enough time to cover the material with appropriate breaks. Try not to go over 4 hours per day.
Provide meals and snacks.
Stop periodically for knowledge checks. Ask open ended questions such as “Explain the
following:…”
Avoid having supervisors attend the class with operators.
More experienced operators can contribute to the course content, but be careful to avoid intimidating the new learner. Make sure the more experienced operators do not dominate the classroom and that they understand their role with respect to the new people.
Whenever possible, use live data either from the process or from a simulation.
Be sure to assess the knowledge that is acquired with the appropriate level of testing difficulty.
Give timely feedback from the assessments.
©Cheryl Morrow March 2011