What is technical training?

Technical training is a type of training that organizations use to properly prepare employees for specific technical tasks and technical functions related to their role within the organization. Training is commonplace for new employees, but technical training can often be the most important in terms of making an employee effective and successful.

Technical training tends to be job-specific, and might include many different types of protocols and procedures depending on the organization and the specific employee's job title. Oftentimes technical training includes the development and honing of specific technical skills.

These skills might be considered transferable or non-transferable. Technical skills learned during technical training are also referred to as hard skills. Technical training programs vary from company to company, here is a quick look at the most common forms of technical training:

• Group technical training

This is one of the most utilized forms of technical training and consists of employees receiving training and education in a group setting. Many organizations use group technical training because it enables them to train multiple employees with the same or similar job descriptions in key technical areas. This saves time and helps employees get to know their coworkers also.

• On-the-job technical training

On-the-job technical training is training in the form of instruction for new and current employees of a workplace. On-the-job training normally involves a mixture of observation by supervisors or trainers, and/or hands-on experience in the form of employees completing technical tasks under the supervision of managers, supervisors, or other designated officials.

On-the-job training usually focuses on these areas:

• The procedures, protocols, and processes a company uses

• How to use certain technical systems or software essential to positions at a company

• Shadowing or watching experienced staff members complete tasks and other functions essential to a specific job

• Learning how to use any necessary tools, equipment, or machinery that is a facet of a role at an organization

The main focus of on-the-job technical training is to prepare a new employee for the technical tasks and challenges of their specific position. On-the-job technical training can also be used for current employees that have been promoted, are taking on new responsibilities, or if a company has instituted new protocols and processes for a current employee's role.

• Classroom technical training

This form of technical training is another form of group technical training, but it involves gathering a group of employees in a classroom environment. Mirroring an academic setting, employees learn any crucial technical aspects of their role in a lecture-type format. It is also often encouraged for employees to take notes and ask questions, just like in academia.

• Coworker-led technical training

Coworker-led technical training is also referred to as peer-led technical training and involves having existing employees be the instructors, or trainers, of new employees or employees that need new technical training. This type of technical training enables employees to learn technical skills directly from their coworkers and helps foster positive peer working dynamics.