Conducting training effectively is key in ensuring that you have a food safety program that is clearly understood and followed. Training is an art. However, it is also a science with defined principles for success. In order to design more effective training for your adult employees, here are a few things that I suggest you keep in mind.
Adults are internally motivated and self-directed
Adults do not like when ideas that they are unfamiliar with are forced upon them. They want to see the reason and value behind what you are asking them to do. So, don’t just tell them to do it because it’s company policy. Take the time to explain the rationale behind why it’s important to comply with whatever you’re asking them to do.
Adults bring their prior knowledge to the learning experience
Acknowledge that your employees come to the table with a lot of prior knowledge. Take the time to listen to them and encourage conversation and discussion. Your willingness to listen will be interpreted as respect. They will likely reciprocate this respect to you. Take advantage of what they share in the discussion by connecting prior knowledge with the new information that you are presenting. This will make new concepts more concrete and will help to integrate it into their long-term memory.
Adults demand respect
Remember that adults are not children and must be treated accordingly. See them as your colleagues regardless of your status above them. Never talk down to them. Avoid telling them that they are wrong. This may cause embarrassment and prevent them from sharing. Provide constructive feedback. Be patient and courteous if they do not understand the first time.
Adults are goal-oriented
Show your employees where you are going. What are your food safety goals? Make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and share it with them. What’s their part in making these goals a reality? Tell them. Show them how your goals ultimately ties in with, not only the company’s goals, but also team and individual goals. Better yet, engage employees in setting goals with you. In that way you will have their full buy-in.
Adults are practical
Use practical scenarios and hands-on experiences as often as possible to help reinforce the information that you are teaching. Most of what we are able to remember are the things that we do while engaging in higher-level thinking. Therefore, give them hands on practice, but also get them to think.
