Contribution #3 - Chapter 7

After reading Chapter 7, I found that there were many different training methods for different jobs. Chapter 7 describes a number of different training methods that I have not encountered such as presentation methods, support networks, Electronic Performance Support Systems, and hands-on methods. The one method I want to focus on in this contribution is On-the-Job Training (OJT) because I have experienced this training method in previous work. This is where peers or managers train new or inexperienced employees who learn the job by observation, understanding, and imitation. Over the past two summers I worked in a warehouse and this is basically the type of training I received. It was difficult at first to adapt to the job because the only help I had was from other employees. Other employees would help me if I had problems with certain tasks the job entailed. If I ever had a question I would just ask fellow employees. There were not any videos or presentations that showed how to do the tasks involved with the job. The main tasks were refurbishing 275 gallon and 330 gallon totes and also unloading and loading semi-trailers of 55 gallon drums. I believe that videos and presentations would be a great asset to this particular company’s training methods. This would benefit the employee’s because it would show the correct way or performing tasks and it would also benefit the employer because it would improve the overall quality of the products.