Seven training tips to attract and retain employees

If you’re looking for ways to attract workers to your construction company—and who isn’t these days–don’t forget about training. Many job seekers are looking for companies that invest in their workers’ career development and growth.

Providing career training is also important to retaining good employees. Well-trained workers who feel confident in their skills will be more productive, more satisfied with their work, and more likely to stay with your company. On the other hand, lack of proper training is a major reason why people leave a company.
How does your training program stack up? Here are a few best practice tips from training experts:

• Team up with an educational institute to create a formal apprenticeship. This allows apprentices to learn about the latest technology and techniques in the trade while putting those ideas to practice in a real world environment.
• Make training an essential part of your on boarding process. Include both hands-on training as well as resource materials to get employees started off on the right foot.
• Show potential career paths within your company and provide training that not only addresses current job needs but helps employees meet future career goals.
• Look for ways to transfer the knowledge of experienced workers to those less experienced such as job shadowing opportunities or using more experienced workers (who have training skills) as in-house training instructors or guest speakers and demonstrators.
• Bring in outside experts to provide training on new methods and technologies.
• Offer reimbursement for technical courses and professional certifications.
• Identify future leaders within your company and create a program designed specifically to broaden their understanding of your business and to develop leadership qualities and strategic thinking.

Even if you have a small training budget, there are ways to build an effective training program. One way is to investigate virtual and online training opportunities offered by schools, government agencies, and construction material and technology providers. Many of these web-based educational tools make training more cost effective and may be easier to fit into a busy employees work schedule.