Job Aid: Training Delivery Methods and Tools

Purpose: Use this job aid to find out more about the different methods and tools that can be used when delivering training.

For the delivery of food safety training, many companies employ a traditional approach using a mixture of classroom-style training, demonstrations, and role-playing. These approaches can be carried out using either a one-on-one or group format.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of delivery method, so when creating your training plan, be sure to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific work environment and staff dynamics. The following table outlines these pros and cons.

Pros and cons of delivery methods
Delivery method	Pros	Cons
One-on-one training	One-on-one is often the preferred method for food safety training because it allows you to tailor the training to the needs of a specific individual. Other benefits are location – the training can take place right on the premises – monitoring capability, and the ability to give immediate feedback.	A potential disadvantage to one-on-one training is that its effectiveness relies heavily on the trainer. This makes it very important that the person delivering the training is certified, or at least has demonstrated the appropriate skills before he is placed in this position.
Group training	When you've hired several new staff members who all begin work at or around the same time, group training sessions may be the best method. Delivering training to a group of people is more cost effective than one-on-one training and is also more consistent.	Group training can be challenging as you can no longer train based on the needs of just one specific individual. You have to consider that you're now dealing with different learning styles combined with possible learning barriers.

Whether conducting one-on-one or group training, there are a variety of tools that you can use to ensure your training is effective. This table outlines some of these tools.

Pros and cons of delivery methods
Training tool	Description
Case studies	Case studies provide employees with examples of real or fictional characters encountering problems that they have been trained to deal with. They can be presented in written form or during a one-on-one or group discussion. The trainees are asked to solve the dilemma faced by the characters in the case study. After the trainees describe how they would deal with the problem, the trainer is then able to give immediate feedback and also offer alternative solutions if necessary.
Games	Use games in your food safety training plan to bring an element of fun to material that is otherwise difficult or tedious. The games should be simple and there should be some type of reward for the winning trainee or team. Before actually playing the game, make sure the rules are clearly stated and play a practice round. Explain the relevance of the material being presented using the game before play begins, and recap the material in a discussion after the game is over.
Job aids	Job aids – also referred to as reference materials – include instructional posters, worksheets, and checklists. These materials can be posted during training sessions and can be left up to provide a reminder later. Posting job aids with directions for certain tasks is a good idea particularly if the task is complicated or not performed on a regular basis. Another reason for posting a job aid is when each step in a task must be done correctly and in the proper order.
Role playing	In role playing, trainees practice what they've learned by acting out food safety related scenarios. When facilitating a role playing session, you should keep the scenario relatively simple for the participants. An example of an effective role playing scenario is to have one character doing something improperly and another character correcting him using either verbal instructions or by demonstrating proper technique.
Training videos	You can use training videos for a variety of reasons. Use them to -introduce information -place extra emphasis on important information -conduct a review session Realize that pressing play and leaving the instruction up to the video alone is not an effective training strategy. Rather, you should be very familiar with the material and interact with it. Introduce the video by telling the trainees what they'll be learning and why they need the information. It is also a good idea to pause the video at different places and ask questions or call attention to the most important points.
Technology-based training	Web-based training allows you to control the timing and pace of training. Web-based training also ensures that the information provided is consistent from trainee -to-trainee. Most Web-based training provides simulations, activities, and questions that allow trainees to practice what they've learned and test their knowledge.

Course: Professional Food Manager: Managing Food Safety and Training
Topic: Delivering Training