Start-up training of operations personnel as well as maintenance personnel is a very important part of implementing new equipment into a customer’s facility.  Training employees on the new equipment will give them the tools they need to be confident and knowledgeable.  This will benefit the Company by providing a more efficient production output as well as the ability to maintain new equipment for a long, productive life cycle in the facility.  Below are some tips of effective start-up training.

DO

1. Provide short, well-illustrated documentation for the training ( keep it simple).
2. Train operations separate from the maintenance personnel.
3. Demonstrate the procedure by performing the action items.
4. Keep the groups as small as possible (4-5 trainees, 8-maximum).
5. Point out the key safety areas to be aware of on the new equipment.

DO NOT

1. Do not use too many complicated technical terms and procedures.
2. Do not hand out more documentation than needed.  This can be confusing.
3. Allow questions, but do not go off on tangents or let this interfere with completing the training agenda.
4. Do not fail to provide training to other shifts or give no training at all to anyone who could potentially use the equipment.  “We can train them later!” or “We can figure it out.” are common excuses.  This simply does not work and typically creates more problems and lost production than bargained for.

Training is a very important part of the success of any new system implementation and should be part of everyproject budget.