While most companies know the importance of having a database of training materials for their employees, whether it’s in an LMS, a ready-made course library, or even just a Google Drive with resources, few have invested in creating just in time training material.
The reality is that after an employee completes their onboarding or initial job training, it’s unlikely they’ll ever refer to this training material again. This isn’t because they can recall everything they learned from memory (they can’t), or that there’s nothing new left for them to learn (there always is).
It’s that traditional training materials are not convenient for when an employee needs a quick, on the spot answer to carry out a task.
This is where just in time training comes in.
- What is just in time training?
- What are the benefits of just in time learning in the workplace?
- Who is just in time training for?
- Deliver just in time training to your teams, right from their smartphones.
- Tangible examples of just in time training
- FAQs
- JIT: a low cost, high return training investment
- Key takeaways
What is just in time training?
Just in time training, also known as on-demand training, is a learning approach that focuses on providing employees with training material at the exact moment they need it. In addition to the longer, comprehensive training they’ve completed in the past, employees are given access to training materials on an as needed basis, which enables them to acquire new skills quickly and efficiently.
Just in time training is a learning approach that emphasizes training based on immediate needs. The concept of just in time training originates from Toyota’s just-in-time production system, which prioritizes manufacturing on demand instead of in advance, resulting in reduced waste and increased efficiency. Similarly, just in time learning promotes learning new skills when they are required, instead of studying an abundance of information preemptively, some of which may not be relevant to a specific employee.
Just in time training can take many forms, such as mobile flashcards, short videos, micro assessments, and more. These formats are designed to be brief and easily accessible, ensuring that employees can fit training into their busy schedules.
What are the benefits of just in time learning in the workplace?
Increased efficiency and productivity
With just in time training, employees can receive training on demand, allowing them to carry out their immediate tasks efficiently and effectively. Making this training available means that employees are less likely to make mistakes, leading to increased productivity and overall efficiency. You don’t need to bother employees with training they don’t need, or take up time from managers and team leaders to answer the same questions multiple times to different team members.
Reduced training costs
Traditional training methods can be costly, both in terms of time and resources. For companies with decentralized and distributed workforces, gathering employees together for group training is a huge cost both in terms of bringing everyone together in a single location, but also in the working hours lost while attending the event. And in the end, there’s still no guarantee that the training conducted at these events will be remembered and carried on.
With just in time training, employees can quickly acquire new skills without taking extensive time away from their job. They can directly apply the knowledge they’ve acquired on the spot, and not have to interrupt their work day.
Improved accessibility and proactivity
Because just in time training is designed to be short and easy to access, it’s commonly delivered to employees via a mobile device, such as their smartphone or a company tablet. As a result, any time the employee is struggling with a task or lacks a certain skill, they can access their training materials. A positive side effect of this increased accessibility is that it motivates employees to proactively learn or reinforce skills since the training material is bite sized and not overwhelming.
Flattened learning curves
Not only is it easier for employees to learn and retain the skills they develop using just in time training material, but it’s also easier for them to retain. When the training material directly relates to the job they’re carrying out, they’re more likely to make meaningful connections that remain in memory. As employees continuously learn new skills and become experts in their roles, the learning curve of obtaining new skills gets smaller and smaller.
Who is just in time training for?
When developed correctly, just in time training can work for any employee in any industry. But it’s especially effective for deskless and mobile employees who may not have easy access to traditional training methods and laptop-based instruction. This includes employees in industries such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Employees such as caretakers, sales associates, and production workers can all benefit from on-demand training that they can access as needed.
Industries that benefit from just in time learning
Healthcare
Employees in the healthcare industry must be able to provide care quickly and effectively, oftentimes under pressure. Just in time training can be a great asset for preparing nurse assistants, care employees, and people who require training for operating specialized equipment.
Since these employees tend to have long shifts on their feet, just in time training delivered via mobile devices is a huge help for having the necessary info they need on hand.
Retail
In the retail industry seasonal employees may not have the same training opportunities as full-time employees do, with constant monitoring and improvement over months or years. Just in time training can help onboard them in significantly less time than traditional training, getting them on the floor faster. This decreases the cost the company must incur to onboard temporary employees and allows these employees to get on shift faster.
Mobile training resources are again a huge help to these employees who likely don’t have access to laptops, or carrying physical training resources on the job is impossible. Just in time training is a great fit for delivering product and process training, as well as sales skills.
Manufacturing
In the manufacturing industry just in time training can be used to provide training on specific equipment or processes, ensuring that employees can operate machinery safely and efficiently without spending a lot of time away from the production line.
Furthermore, just in time learning resources are a great fit for delivering safety training on a recurring basis. These short training sessions don’t need to take up too much time to have a real impact. By making safety training quick to complete and easy to access, you can prompt employees to review this material on a regular basis, ultimately lowering the risk of a workplace accident.
Deliver just in time training to your teams, right from their smartphones.
Tangible examples of just in time training
Mobile flashcards
Mobile flashcards are a popular just in time training method that can be used to provide employees with quick access to information. For example, a company can create online flashcards that show a product image or diagram on one side and its description on the other. This can be used to train employees on new products or processes, as well as test employees from time to time on their skills.
Short videos
Short videos are another powerful just in time training method that are effective for process training. When you need to quickly demonstrate how to carry out a task, and don’t want to have to take up time from your managers to demonstrate it, a short, effective video can accomplish this.
Keep in mind that videos should be short, to the point, and very specific. You don’t want your employee to sit through a 15 minute video just to find an answer that could’ve been explained in 5 minutes.
Micro assessments
Micro assessments or quizzes are a quick and easy way to evaluate employee knowledge. For both employers and employees, these quizzes can provide feedback on areas that need improvement, helping to ensure that employees are well-equipped to perform their job. You can include questions that you find repeatedly come up among your employees, or break down common problems in a series of short questions.
FAQs
What is an example of just in time training
An example of just in time training is providing an employee with a quick video tutorial or a set of mobile flashcards to refresh their memory on a particular task or process just before they need to perform it – the same approach can be taken to teach an employee a new skill they have not yet mastered.
What is the significance of just in time learning?
Just in time learning is significant because it allows employees to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs at the exact time they need it. It can also lead to improved job satisfaction and retention, as employees feel more confident and capable in their roles without being overwhelmed at once with a lot of information. Employees don’t feel like they need to choose between falling behind on their work by taking time for training, or continuing on without improving their skills.
What is the difference between just in time and just in case learning?
Just in time learning is focused on delivering the necessary training or information right when it is needed, while just in case learning is more of a proactive approach that provides training and information to employees in advance, in case they need it later on.
Just in case training is certainly beneficial when it has been thoughtfully put together. By pairing it with just in time learning you can reinforce employee knowledge on a regular basis.
What does JIT training mean?
JIT stands for just in time training, which is a training approach that provides employees with the knowledge and skills they need to perform their job functions right when they need them to save time and improve productivity.
JIT: a low cost, high return training investment
Just in time training is a valuable approach to employee training that can greatly benefit organizations of all sizes and industries. Providing employees with the right training and information at the right time can improve efficiency, job satisfaction, and retention rates.
To make the most of this approach, organizations should consider incorporating methods such as mobile flashcards, short videos, and micro-quizzes into their training resources to deliver training content in a timely and engaging way.
Key takeaways
- Just in time training provides employees with the necessary training and information right when they need it, leading to improved efficiency and knowledge retention.
- Mobile flashcards, short videos, and micro-quizzes are effective methods for delivering just in time training.
- Just in time learning is particularly valuable for deskless and mobile employees in industries such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
- The difference between just in time and just in case learning is that the former provides training right when it is needed, while the latter is a proactive approach.
- By utilizing just in time training properly, organizations can improve job satisfaction and retention rates while also boosting overall productivity.
