Hi There--soliciting ideas for how to deliver and make annual training sessions more interesting. Here are the facts and what I am working with:

1. This annual training is mandatory and most is either FDA or OSHA mandated.

2. Work in a manufacturing environment and will have 650 people that must take this refresher training.

2. The content is BORING, but required. For instance, one of the procedures is "Good Documentation Practices" and tells the proper way to correct a document, sign your name, how you must use black ink, etc.

3. The way this has been done in the past is they were all dragged into rooms and a specific person actually READ the entire procedure (s) to them word for word. Some being up to 14 pages long! Then they signed off on it and went back to work. (I know, I couldn't believe it either)

4. There are a total of 8 procedures on this annual training list and all 650 people must receive all of their refresher training by the middle of January.

5. I already tried to suggest that I conduct an analysis on this entire project to see if this is even necessary, is it indeed a training project, make sure it’s the right approach, etc. etc. That didn't work....the last message I got was "Just do it"..."it has to be done"...it's the way it's always been...etc.

SO, I thought the least I could do was make it more interesting for the folks and a bit more valuable vs. just READING policies and procedures to people…(since we all know how effective THAT is.)

I thought about splitting these up and designating a "SME" for each of these topics and then have THEM train the topic.

Then I thought I'd have group activities and have each act out (skit) or give true examples of the highlights of each procedure.

My last idea was to have some kind of Jeopardy game or something and present the highlights of each.

What do you think? Anxious to hear your thoughts and ideas. What would you do?

Jonesie-

Here's what I do, I am not sure if it will work for you.

For any "required" training, I try to find someone who is an entertaining speaker and has relevant anecdotes about the subject matter. I can't change the subject or the requirement but at least I can try to make it entertaining.

My personal favorite is the lawyer we hire for sexual harassment in the workplace training. He gets the message across and the severity of the law across while at the same time using some of the most unique stories I have ever heard, all true.

Thanks Dvsnhd99---hmmmm...interesting. Makes me think about this a little deeper.

Anyone else?

I think some of Thiagi's Textra games might be the answer. Check out the free links on www.thiagi.com and also look there and search his newsletter. There is a list of almost 200 "games" on his site at http://www.thiagi.com/games.html Some are textra. I think I recall a newsletter article where he talked about using textra games for compliance; maybe it was another type of game, though.
HTH,

One of our training course designers delivers techincal training in the insurance industry, which he considers 'boring' material. Consequently we have lots of free training games and methods of delivery that he has designed with this exact idea in mind.

Personally, I find that allowing these training programmes to become 'conversational' and about debating issues rather than just presenting information is beneficial. You can then use specific information slides to solidfy the learning and highlight important aspects.

It's a tough one though...