How to Build Better Technology Training For Employees

By
Elmeri Palokangas
December 29, 2022
min read
Updated
September 19, 2023
Photo credit
When implementing new technology in the workplace, you need a tool adoption training program. Here's how to build one.
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Introduction

Like it or not, technology is a huge part of our lives. Whether you work in an office or in a factory, chances are you use some form of technology every day.

While some people are comfortable using technology, others are not. This can be a big problem, especially if your job requires you to use technology on a daily basis.

This requires a need for employers to provide technology training for employees. There's no doubt that workplace training is essential, as 92 percent of survey respondents say it positively impacts their job engagement.

But how do you exactly develop an efficient and engaging workplace training program?

The goal of this article is to help you understand the basics of developing technology training program for your employees, as well as provide you with solutions that can make the process easier.

Challenges of technology training for employees & how to overcome them

When it comes to technology training, there can be a lot of challenges that come up. Here are some of the most common challenges, as well as how you can overcome them.

1. Employers don't know the software themselves

As an employer, you should have a good understanding of the software that your employees need to use. A lack of knowledge can make it difficult to develop a training program and provide employees with the support they.

How to overcome this training challenge:

  • Take the time to learn the software yourself or hire someone who is an expert in the field to help you develop the training program.
  • Read reviews and compare features to find any downfalls in the software. This will give you a clear idea of what needs to be addressed in the training program.

2. Not giving employees enough time to adapt

Technology can be overwhelming, and employees may need some time to get used to using it. Make sure you give them enough time to learn the software and adapt to using it before expecting them to be experts. Too much pressure can lead to frustration and employees feeling like they can't do their job.

How to overcome this training challenge:

  • Start with the basics and gradually introduce more complex topics.
  • Provide them with resources (e.g. manuals, cheatsheets, etc.) that they can refer to when they're stuck.
  • Give employees time to practice software adoption in a test. enviornment before using it for work.

3. Making the training too long or complex

If your training sessions are too long, employees will get bored and won't retain the information. And if they're too complex, it can be difficult for employees to understand and follow along. Find the right balance between the two so that employees can get the most out of the training.

How to overcome this training challenge:

  • Make sure the training is interesting and engaging.
  • Keep things short and simple.
  • Use real-world examples that employees can relate to.
  • Don't overload employees with too much information at once.

4. Failing to provide support after the training

Once the training is over, it's important to provide support to employees. Lack of proper support can lead to employees feeling frustrated and not being able to properly use the software. This can impact their work and productivity.

How to overcome this training challenge:

  • Set up a help desk or FAQ section on your website.
  • Make sure someone is available to answer questions via email or phone.
  • Encourage employees to ask questions and provide feedback.

5. Not tracking progress or providing feedback

It's important to track employee progress and provide feedback. This will help you see what areas need improvement and where employees are excelling. Feedback will also motivate employees to keep learning and progressing.

How to overcome this training challenge:

  • Track employee progress with quizzes or tests.
  • Provide feedback on a regular basis.
  • Encourage employees to give feedback on the training program.

Tips for setting up a tool adoption program for employees

When implementing new technology in the workplace, it is important to have a tool adoption training program in place.

This will help ensure that employees are comfortable using the new technology and that they understand how it can help them in their job.

There are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a tool adoption training program:

1. Involve the whole team

When you're introducing new technology to the workplace, it's important to involve the whole team from the beginning. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that they understand the new technology.

Give your team a chance to give feedback from the beginning, and be open to their suggestions. Your whole team should be part of the decision-making process, and they should feel like they have a say in what's going on.

2. Choose the right software

When selecting the software, it's important to choose something that is user-friendly and that will meet the needs of your whole team, not just a few individuals.

You should also consider the training that will be required to use the software. If it's too complex, it may be difficult to get your team on board.

3. Pick the right format for training

When it comes to training, you should pick a format that is best for your team. If you have a large team, you may want to consider doing a webinar or an online tutorial.

If you have a smaller team, you may want to do a more hands-on approach, such as a training session where everyone can ask questions and get help from you or another expert.

4. Create performance support

Once your team is trained on the new software, it's important to create performance support materials. These can be in the form of FAQs, step-by-step guides, user manuals, or even video tutorials.

This way, if someone has a question or they're having trouble with the software, they can refer to these materials for help. 

What’s the best way to create support materials? 

One great way is using Scribe

technology training for employees

Scribe allows you to capture processes in seconds and turn them into step-by-step instructions — like this one:

The guide will be automatically created based on your keystrokes and clicks, and you can reorder, add or remove steps at any time.

‎5. Encourage any feedback from employees

Make sure you encourage feedback from employees during and after the tool adoption training program. This will help you understand what is working well and what needs to be improved.

You should create a space for employees to give feedback, such as an online forum or a Google form. This will give them a chance to share their thoughts and ideas, possibly even anonymously.

6. Make it ongoing, not a one-time event

Technology is always changing, so it is important to keep your employees up-to-date on the latest tools and trends. Offer training on a regular basis, not just when you're introducing new technology to the workplace.

Having a proper system for training can help ensure that your employees are always up-to-date on the latest tools and trends. One useful idea is to create an internal wiki, where you can post new tutorials, guides, and resources.

If you don't have an internal wiki yet in place, tools like Scribe make it easy for you to create one. 

You can also send out monthly or quarterly newsletters with tips and tricks on how to use the software, or you can create a blog with regular content.

How to measure the effectiveness of the program?

To make sure that your tool adoption training program is effective, you need to measure the effectiveness of the program.

There are a few different ways to do this:

  • Use surveys: One of the best ways to measure the effectiveness of a training program is to use surveys. You can send out surveys to employees before and after the training to see how they felt about it.
  • Track results: You should also track the results of the training program. For example, if you're training employees on how to use new software, track how many employees are using it and how often they're using it.
  • Get direct feedback: In addition to surveys, you should also get direct feedback from employees. This can be done through one-on-one meetings, focus groups, or even just casual conversations.

By measuring the effectiveness of your tool adoption training program, you can make sure that it is successful and that your employees are getting the most out of it.

Conclusion

Technology training for employees is important, but it's not always easy. By following these tips, you can make sure that your team is properly trained and that the program is successful.

Make sure you involve the whole team, choose the right software, and pick the right format for training. 

If you want to skyrocket your training efforts, and make it as easy as possible for your team, using different document processing tools like Scribe make things MUCH easier.  

P.S. you can become a user for free!

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