A Complete Guide
Supporting Front-line Workers
with Continuous Development
Opportunities
Supporting Front-line Workers with Continuous Development Opportunities
Fronline workers don’t need just training. They need performance support that is integrated into their daily workflow.
Onboarding is undeniably a vital part of bringing new employees up to speed, but it’s just the beginning of their learning journey. For many front-line workers, the initial training phase is brief, and they often have to hit the ground running. With large front-line teams, organizations frequently don’t have the luxury of investing extensive time in new hire training, which means getting employees up to speed quickly is essential for ongoing operations.
To address this challenge, organizations need to focus on delivering continuous learning and development opportunities that support performance rather than just traditional training. This approach is less about formal training sessions and more about making performance support part of routine work.
The Need for Learning in the Flow of Work
Addressing Knowledge Gaps on the Spot
Frontline workers often face immediate and evolving challenges in their roles. Learning in the flow of work provides quick access to resources and information, allowing them to resolve issues as they arise rather than waiting for scheduled training sessions. For instance, a restaurant server can access a digital guide on handling difficult customer interactions while dealing with a challenging situation at the table.
Enhancing Engagement and Retention
Traditional training methods can feel detached from frontline workers’ daily experiences. By embedding learning into the workflow, employees find the training more relevant and engaging, which can lead to higher retention rates and better job satisfaction.
Like, a manufacturing worker can use a mobile app to access short, relevant safety tips while on-site, rather than attending infrequent safety seminars. Sadly though, studies show that about 60% of manufacturing employees report they can’t access any training materials on their mobile devices, highlighting a significant gap in performance support.
Supporting Continuous Improvement
The nature of frontline work often requires continuous learning and adaptation. Learning in the flow of work facilitates ongoing skill development and performance enhancement without requiring significant time away from daily duties. Imagine retail employees receiving brief, just-in-time updates on new product features or sales techniques via a mobile learning platform during their shifts. This approach ensures that learning is relevant, accessible, and seamlessly fits into their workflow.
Frontline workers benefit from performance support that goes beyond initial training. Embracing learning in the flow of work offers practical, on-the-spot resources that help address daily challenges and support continuous improvement.