Your team's ROI from a technical skills program falls short of expectations. How can you turn this around?

1 Assess Needs

To turn around the ROI of your technical skills program, start by reassessing your team's needs. It's possible that the initial training did not align well with the actual skills gaps or the specific contexts in which your team operates. Conduct a thorough analysis of the tasks and challenges your team faces, and compare these with the skills they've acquired through the program. This will help you pinpoint discrepancies and create a more targeted training initiative that addresses the precise needs of your team.

2 Training Content

The content of your technical skills program is pivotal to its success. If your ROI is lagging, review the training materials and methods used. Are they up-to-date and relevant to the latest industry standards? Ensure that the program content is not only current but also practical, providing hands-on opportunities to apply new skills. This may involve incorporating real-world projects or simulations that closely mirror the challenges your team encounters on the job.

3 Engagement Levels

Engagement is key to learning retention and application. If your team's technical training ROI is underwhelming, it might be due to low engagement levels. To remedy this, employ interactive and collaborative training methods. These could include group problem-solving sessions, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and gamified learning modules that make acquiring technical skills more engaging and enjoyable. Increased engagement can lead to better understanding and application of new skills, thus improving ROI.

6 Reinforcement Strategy

A common reason for a disappointing ROI on technical skills training is the lack of reinforcement post-training. To ensure that new skills are retained and utilized, implement a strategy that encourages continuous practice and application. This could involve follow-up workshops, mentorship programs, or providing resources that support ongoing learning. By reinforcing the skills learned, you help cement them as part of your team's everyday workflow, thereby boosting your program's ROI.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?