What do we mean by on-the-job training?

On-the-job training isn’t quite the same thing as learning by experience. Learning by experience is a
simple concept that primarily occurs via mistakes. Maybe you try something one way, find it doesn’t
work, then modify it until it does.

On-the-job training is a specific type of training that is explicit, prescribed, and delivered at the
workplace.

For example, if you have a new intake nurse in your triage unit who needs to learn a specific computer
program that your hospital uses, on-the-job training could use microlearning videos to deliver targeted
information for that skill alone. Or, your sales team could use mobile resources to review product demos
as they’re waiting to enter a meeting.

The best on-the-job trainings are:

 Relevant – relevant to your course

 Targeted – that is your target job
 Helpful to employees – you are helpful to your co employees
 Packed with useful information – you learned a lot from it that you can eventually use.

Learning by experience may eventually be all of these things, but on-the-job training is a great way to
help new employees learn procedures, programs, company culture, and other important concepts
quickly.

What Can You Learn from OJT?

Put simply, students who undertake an on the job training program learn practical skills and procedures
for their position or industry. But beyond this, there is a whole continuum of things for students to learn.
They include:

 General workplace standards

 Professional norms such as workplace dress code, productivity expectations, company
hierarchy, and industry jargon.
 Networking and professional coworkers relationships.
 Gain relevant soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, work ethics, adaptability,
communication, and time management.

Benefits of On The Job Training

In a modern workplace, on the job training is a highly effective policy tool used to shape the skills of the
existing employees and attune them to the specific needs of the firm (Almeida & Faria). For students,
however, OJT is heralded as a rare opportunity to find a firm grip on the industry or role they wish to
pursue.

It gives students the first real taste of work without throwing them into the deep end straight away.
And, when utilized properly, it delivers a host of benefits. Among them are the following:
It develops and fine-tunes skills

On the job training comes at a time when students are at the bottom of the career ladder. Even though
they have amassed valuable theoretical knowledge at this point, they are still rough gems that need
polishing to fit into the fast-paced work environment.

During the on the job training, trainees learn by observing, asking questions, and taking measured risks
to make the most of the opportunity. Additionally, they receive constructive criticism from the
supervisor and coworkers. The feedback helps them learn more about their strengths and weaknesses,
embrace their mistakes, and gain relevant skills from distinguished professionals in the industry.

Moreover, on the job training helps trainees master professional skills such as teamwork, time
management, communication, and adaptability. These are some of the most sought after soft skills, and
acquiring them gives the trainee an edge in the job market. Actually, 57% of industry leaders say soft
skills are more important than hard skills (Petrone, 2018).

It builds industry knowledge

Building industry knowledge epitomizes the ultimate goal of taking internships. The hands-on work
experience interns garner during the OJT is simply invaluable and cannot be earned in a classroom
setting.

Generally, trainees get the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in school in a real work
environment. They witness, firsthand, the day-to-day duties they will encounter in a real-world setting.
Even more, taking part in team meetings, completing minor tasks, and collaborating with coworkers
exposes students to how things work in a chosen fieldwork.

This helps build relevant industry knowledge and enables students to learn the roles and responsibilities
of a specific position or career. Ultimately, this closes the experience gap and smoothens the transition
into the workforce.

It expands one’s professional network

In the highly competitive job market, connecting with individuals who are already established in a
specific field can supercharge your career growth. Unfortunately, many graduates emerge from school
with little to show in terms of the professional network. As such, on the job training is usually the first
real opportunity to meet others in the career field you want to pursue.

The professionals you meet during the OJT may be the most valuable stepping stone to a future job.
They may recommend you for open roles, and as you already know, recommendations make the most
successful job searching strategies. In addition, the people in your field may be a great source of advice
and can help make informed decisions about your career.

It provides financial compensation

In some cases, a student may be lucky enough to land an internship that offers some form of
compensation. Meaning, you will gain valuable work experience and, at the same time, make money.
Financial compensation is usually a timely boost for cash strapped students and it helps cover college
tuition and expenses. In the case where the training takes place after graduation, it helps students start
employment life on the right footing.

It improves job outlook

Even better, students who successfully complete on the job training and make a favorable impression
are viewed as attractive talents to employers. This is primarily because such students possess excellent
soft skills, have exemplary work habits, and demonstrate higher industry and technical skills. Moreover,
they are well-versed with general workplace standards and professional norms in their respective fields.

For this reason, many employers in the world prefer to hire junior employees who have completed on
the job training. To suffice, in 2019 alone, 56% of interns and 40% of co-op students were hired on a full-
time, entry-level basis (NACE, 2020). Even if an offer is not put on the table right away, down the line, it
will not take long for an opportunity to come up.

On the Job Training Tips

As you have seen, on the job training can deliver tremendous benefits, key amongst which, is that it lays
a solid foundation for a successful career. To reap the benefits, however, the student must endeavor to
do things right. The following tips can help a trainee to get the most of the on-the-job experience:

Make the most of the transition time. The truth is, as a trainee, you are not expected to know the dos
and don’ts of the new workplace right away. But, the faster you can grasp the ins and outs of the
workflow and daily life on the job, the better it will be for you. In this regard, acquaint yourself with the
daily operations of your job, such as work-related events, meetings, work standards, and procedures
right from the off.

Abide by the code of conduct. Generally, every on the job training program comes with a strict code of
conduct set by the school or the partner institution. Make sure to set no foot wrong as regards drug use,
dress code, and other rules as outlined in the workplace.

Be professional. Moreover, the first impression matters, as is maintaining a high level of professionalism
throughout the training period. Always present yourself in a manner that demonstrates the utmost
professionalism and respect for authority. This includes doing things such as abiding by all confidential
agreements at work, properly scheduling vacation days, and promptly notifying the supervisor about
absence from work. Professionalism is considered one of the key career readiness competencies by a
whopping 95.1% of employers (NACE, 2020).

Stay organized. In addition, keep to-do lists of all deadlines and tasks. Remove clutter from your desk to
keep it neat and organized. Keep in mind, if the organization has any rules or processes as regards data
storage, follow them to a tee.

Watch and learn. In the first place, you are in on the job training to learn and gain work experience. So,
use every opportunity to achieve the core aim by being observant and asking questions. Never shy away
from seeking guidance and clarification from your colleagues and peers. Also, ask to sit in on team
meetings and when the opportunity is given, take notes, writing down all important details.
Manage time wisely. It is critically important to show up to work on time. So, try, by all means possible,
to be punctual and if you are going to be late, inform the supervisor at the earliest. Besides, when you
are assigned tasks or projects, strive to complete them on time. Plus, if work feels too overwhelming, be
the first to inform your supervisor and ask for guidance on how to prioritize tasks.

Cultivate healthy relationships with your coworkers. Remember, on the job training gives you the
opportunity to expand your professional network. As such be polite, friendly, sensitive, and helpful to
your colleagues and peers. Talk with your coworkers and get to know them, but avoid talks that spread
negative energy such as gossiping and complaining. If anything is not fit for workplace chats but
warrants a discussion, be the first to ask your colleagues if they have time for a private chat or a coffee.