How to get the most out of training

And no, it's not cheating in the test at the end! But we all know that some training courses produce better results than others, and that some trainers have a greater impact than others, but too few people realise just what an effect they, as the people being trained, can have on the success of a training programme.

All too often, we book on a course, investing significant amounts of our own or our employer’s time and money, and then just turn up expecting to emerge a few hours later a radically improved person. Sometimes it works, but be honest, how often do you think that happens? Quite.

Very often you need to put in the extra effort to get full value from the course. So heed the following advice:

1. Pick the right course

Rather than looking at a list of available courses and picking one that looks appealing, begin by identifying exactly what skills and knowledge you want to gain and why you need them. Focus on outcomes rather than activities. If you're already in work, discuss this with your manager based on, say, a recent appraisal.

For instance, how will a health and safety certificate help you in your hospitality career, and is there a particular aspect of health and safety that's most relevant to you? How will a people management skills course help you function better as a bar manager, and which management skills do you currently lack? Also, what sort of learner are you? Do you prefer practical or theory, or a mix?

Before signing up to any course, look closely at the credentials of the person delivering it, and try to find out how satisfied previous delegates have been. The National Skills Academy has a range of courses specifically for hospitality, so check out their website for ideas.

2. Prepare for it

Before the course, spend some time defining your objectives. This will help you approach it in a more focused way. Think about what will be covered and consider whether you need to do any preparatory reading beforehand. Find out in advance if you need to bring anything, and plan how you will get there, so you can arrive in good time, all your tools to hand, fully engaged in the topic and ready to learn.

3. Listen actively

Very few people learn by sitting and listening to someone talk. We learn when we are actively engaged. So, take notes. Don’t write down everything the trainer says, but do jot down the key points. This isn't so much to help you remember what was covered – there will probably be a handout for that – but more to keep you alert and actively listening.

In the same way, ask questions. Don’t be afraid of looking stupid or worrying you're holding things up. Your trainer would much rather you fully understand everything, and, far from holding up the group, you’re probably asking the questions that everyone else wants to ask. What's better? Sitting in a training session, nodding away and not having a clue what’s going on, or getting the trainer to clarify things you're not sure of?

4. Keep it real

It's likely your training course covers some theoretical aspect of the hospitality industry. At every stage relate it back to the day-to-day reality of your work. How can you apply that idea to your hotel job? What would that process look like in practice in your kitchen? Jot down your thoughts. If you’re not sure how it applies to you then ask the trainer.

5. Discuss with other delegates

In coffee breaks, or over lunch, chat to the other people on your course. Do this whether or not you already know them. Find out what they are picking up from the course and how they plan to apply it. They might offer you a fresh perspective that you’d not considered before. Or they might turn out to be a useful contact for the future. Or they might just be someone nice to chat to.

6. Reinforce immediately

Your learning should not stop the minute you leave the training room. From that point on, you need to actively reinforce and embed what you’ve learnt. So, on the way home read the handout, review your notes, and write down a plan for implementing what you’ve learnt to discyuss with your line manager on your return.

7. Review your progress

Spend a few minutes each week or month looking back at your plan and assessing your progress. Are you using what you learnt? If not how can you get back on track? Do you need to change the plan, or do you just need to stick to it more rigidly?

It may be that you need to contact the trainer to discuss it. Perhaps you misunderstood a key point. Or perhaps you’ve just forgotten some small but crucial detail. A quick phone or e-mail conversation with the trainer could rectify this and get you back on track.

Don’t be afraid to do this. After all, the trainer wants you to achieve your objectives, if only so you can be a satisfied customer talking positively to his or her future customers.

- What sort of learner are you?
- How to train up with out shelling out
- Hospitality qualifications
- What are transferable skills?