While Economic Optimism Among Manufacturers Grows So Should Industrial Training Efforts

Every business strategy works best when a plan has been put in place first. Manufacturing training is no different. In order to implement a successful manufacturing training program you must first focus in on the management approach you will use and then work from there. There are a few training and management options that coincide with industrial training efforts, they include, Lean Manufacturing, Sig Sigma and TQM. While optimism grows among industrial manufacturers concerning the U.S. economy, this may be the perfect time to train. In fact, the PwC Manufacturing Barometer reported a rise to 68 percent in optimism during the first quarter of 2012, a 40 point increase from the mere 28 percent reported in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Lean manufacturing is by no means a new concept. The practice of lean manufacturing focuses on preserving the value of a product through less work. The lean production practice is a variation of efficiency and seeks to optimize work flow by reducing waste. While the strategy emerged in the 1950’s it was not until the 1980’s that is was considered a practical business approach. And in recent years, as the economic downturn threatened many manufacturing businesses, the idea of lean production really took root in the industry.

Sig Sigma, as you may already know, is a data-driven approach which also seeks to improve the output process by eliminating wasteful tasks that may cause defects and ultimately aims to minimize inconsistencies within the manufacturing process.

Finally, TQM or Total Quality Management is an older concept of Sig Sigma. TQM strives to attain long term success through customer satisfaction by training employees to continuously improve the quality of their products by consistently refining the quality of their process.

Once you’ve selected an approach that will work best for your business, the next step is to actually implement the industrial training courseware that directly relates to your goals. Below are some tips that will help your organization get the most from your industrial training.

1. Consistency. Consistency needs to be carried out through each and every one of your manufacturing training efforts. This mean ensuring both new hires and existing employees receive the same process training.
2. Quality. This tip stems from the quality of your industrial training program. Quality courseware must be implemented in order to see the desired results. Quality must not only be trained but also maintained.
3. Rewarding. Rewarding your adult learners for performing tasks properly, excelling in their industrial training program or identifying an issue will help boost employee morale, ultimately enhancing overall performance.

With these tips and a defined approach, industrial training should be a breeze. Organizations like ITC Learning also help manufacturing plants achieve their goals through the use of quality industrial training courseware. To learn more, contact ITC Learning today!