Unlocking the Future of Workforce Development

As we transition into an age defined by Industry 5.0, the manufacturing sector faces unique challenges and opportunities. Effective manufacturing training is crucial in this new landscape, ensuring that workers are adequately equipped to meet the demands of a connected, smart factory environment. In this article, we explore three guiding principles designed to enhance workforce productivity and support continuous learning - ultimately leading to higher performance in manufacturing organizations.

The Need for Modern Training Approaches

Historically, manufacturing training has relied heavily on traditional methods such as on-the-floor shadowing and classroom instruction. However, as the industry shifts toward more innovative practices, a question emerges: How can we help employees learn effectively without disrupting their productivity?

This article will address several core questions:

How can we shorten the time required to learn a new job or task?
How can we increase information retention and knowledge transfer?
What strategies can we implement to motivate employees to continuously learn and develop mastery-level skills?

To tackle these issues, we present three guiding principles that provide a framework for effective manufacturing training, utilizing digital work instructions and workforce productivity tools.

1. Provide "Just-in-Time" Manufacturing Training

According to a 2018 Industry Week survey, while 71% of manufacturers still prefer on-the-floor shadowing, a significant portion still relies on classroom training, which can often be ineffective. Research indicates that workers may forget up to 95% of information presented in lectures after just one day.

To address this problem, leveraging just-in-time training becomes paramount. This approach delivers learning at the precise moment and location where workers need it. With smart manufacturing techniques, employees can access training materials directly at their workstations, ensuring they can integrate learning seamlessly into their daily tasks.

Key Benefits of Just-in-Time Training

Timeliness: Learning is embedded in the worker's daily routine, minimizing disruptions and enhancing productivity.
Contextual Understanding: Training is provided in the worker's environment, leading to better comprehension and application of skills.
Rewarding Experience: Completing real tasks boosts confidence and motivation, encouraging continuous learning.

How Poka Supports Just-in-Time Training

Poka's app equips each workstation with a tablet, allowing workers to access manuals, videos, and other resources precisely when they need them.

Whether it’s a new employee or a seasoned operator, workers can follow a comprehensive training program or find detailed step-by-step instructions for specific tasks without leaving their stations.

factory work instructions

2. Reinforce Autonomous Learning with Peer Support

As highlighted by training expert Harold D. Stolovitch, "Training Ain't performance." Research shows that only 10% of training expenditures result in effective performance. To maximize the impact of training, it’s essential to create a supportive environment where continuous learning is encouraged.

Transforming your manufacturing operations into a Connected Factory requires fostering a community where workers can share knowledge, experiences and solutions. This can be achieved through robust workplace safety training and food safety training that emphasizes collaboration.

Building a Culture of Continuous Learning in Manufacturing

One effective method of encouraging knowledge sharing is through Poka’s live factory feed. This innovative feature keeps operators connected with supervisors and peers, facilitating real-time collaboration and problem-solving. Workers can easily search the knowledge base for solutions to equipment issues or operational questions.

If assistance is needed, operators can issue a call for help on the factory feed. Designated equipment experts across global operations can respond at any time, ensuring employees receive the support they need, when they need it.

How Poka Fosters Knowledge Sharing

Poka not only delivers training but also serves as a digital logbook and permanent record of knowledge. By enabling instant feedback and encouraging employees to contribute ideas for continuous improvement, manufacturers can cultivate a strong learning culture that aligns with the principles of Training Within Industry.

factory new updates

3. Accelerate Comprehension by Creating Multimedia Micro-Lessons

The third guiding principle focuses on the presentation of information. Traditional training methods often overload workers with excessive information, leading to confusion and frustration.

To facilitate comprehension, breaking learning into micro-lessons is highly effective. By providing just enough information to meet specific needs, workers can focus their attention and reduce performance anxiety.

Catering to Diverse Learning Styles in Manufacturing

It’s essential to recognize that individuals have varying learning preferences. Some learners benefit from visual content, while others may prefer auditory or hands-on approaches. Poka accommodates these different styles by offering training materials in various formats, including:

Visual: Using images, videos, and diagrams
Auditory: Incorporating sound and verbal instruction
Kinesthetic: Allowing hands-on practice and interaction

By addressing the varied learning styles within your workforce, you can create a more inclusive training environment.

One of the frameworks that complements this approach is the 70:20:10 learning model, which recommends a balance between formal and informal learning:

70% learning from experience (on-the-job)
20% learning from others (peer learning)
10% learning through formal training (classroom or online training)

This model emphasizes that while formal training remains important, most learning occurs informally through practical experiences and peer interactions. As Charles Jennings aptly states, "if we want our training to be effective, we must build our organizations on the principle of learning, not training." Implementing the 70:20:10 model allows manufacturers to reduce reliance on costly, time-consuming formal training events and shift towards dynamic, real-time learning solutions that employees can access autonomously. This approach not only maximizes training effectiveness but also aligns with diverse learning styles, fostering a more efficient and capable workforce.

How Poka Enhances Micro-Learning

Poka enables workers to access training manuals and instructions in text, video and image formats. Training content can be easily segmented into one-point lessons, allowing workers to access micro-lessons as needed. As a result, companies benefit from greater flexibility in training delivery and increased engagement from employees.

Moreover, producing training content in multimedia formats is often faster and simpler than traditional methods. By leveraging real-time captures, operators can document procedures and resolutions directly at the production line - creating a continuously updated repository of best practices.

factory work instructions

Conclusion: The Path to Effective Manufacturing Training

In an era defined by Industry 4.0 and the shift towards Industry 5.0, manufacturers have more options than ever to enhance training and develop a skilled workforce. Embracing these three guiding principles can lead to significant improvements in worker productivity, knowledge retention and employee satisfaction.

By leveraging technologies like Poka, manufacturing organizations can streamline training processes and build a thriving learning culture that supports ongoing skills development, collaborative knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Ready to transform your manufacturing training practices? Book a demo with Poka today to see how our platform can empower your workforce and enhance your operational efficiency!

This article was updated in January 2025 for accuracy.

3 Guiding Principles for More Effective Manufacturing Training in the Era of Industry 4.0 and 5.0