Increasing the skills of field teams is essential to improve their operational efficiency and strengthen their commitment.
However, it represents a major challenge due to:
- budgetary constraints,
- time management,
- resistance to change
- the adaptation of training courses to the specific needs of employees.
53% of employees in the field say they do not receive regular training to develop their skills. However, increasing the skills of field teams is a crucial issue for companies that want to remain competitive.
Indeed, these teams are often in direct contact with your customers, and they are the ones who ensure the delivery of your services. In short, they are just as important as your teams in the office!
So why do companies sometimes abandon the training of these field employees? And how can you remedy this in your business? We give you all our tips in this blog post.
Why is increasing the skills of field teams essential?
Employees in the field should receive regular training. to acquire new knowledge. This continuing education allows them to stay up to date with the latest technological and methodological advances.
By improving their core competencies, employees then become more efficient and versatile. This ensures better productivity and an improved quality of work! And a well-trained team is more independent and more fulfilled. Employees whose skills are recognized and developed feel valued and motivated. What more for your business!
What is the role of managers in this increase in skills?
The role of managers is not trivial in increasing the skills of these field teams. Indeed, they must identify the specific training needs of their teams. This identification goes through a regular assessment of skills and performance.
Managers must also ensure that the training courses are applicable in the field. Indeed, many field employees do not have direct access to computers to follow online training courses. Team leaders must therefore adapt content and formats to the situations of their teams.
What are the advantages of increasing the skills of field teams?
For employees
- Adapting to changes in the profession
Jobs in the field are evolving rapidly. By training, employees can adapt to these changes and avoid the obsolescence of their skills.
- Preventing skills stagnation
Continuing training makes it possible to avoid stagnation in the careers of employees. By developing their skills, employees increase their skills and can quickly evolve into new positions.
For the company
- Performance improvement
Better trained employees contribute directly to the improvement of company performance. They are more efficient and produce better quality work.
- Talent Retention
Investing in employee training is an excellent way to retain talent. Employees feel valued and are more likely to stay with the company. Your turnover rate will thank you!
What strategies to promote the development of skills of field teams?
Promote team motivation and commitment
Motivation is a key success factor in developing skills. Motivated employees are more engaged in their learning. But beware, management must adapt to different profiles and their specific needs in order to maintain motivation and commitment. Pay attention to the training requests of your employees, and adapt!
Adapt training courses for field teams
Each generation has different expectations and different ways of learning. Training must be adapted to meet these varied needs. For example, a 20-year-old employee will not have the same technological facilities as a 60-year-old employee!
If your teams are receptive to technology, don't hesitate to use interactive and fun tools to make learning more attractive and effective. They make it easier to engage and remember information.
Develop a differentiated pedagogy for the development of skills of field teams
Each member of the team must benefit from training adapted to their level, whether a beginner, an intermediary or an expert. A prior assessment makes it possible to determine the level of each employee and to adapt the training accordingly.
What training courses should you choose for field teams?
Courses adapted to the skills development needs of your field teams
- Blended learning: a combination of e-learning and face-to-face learning
Blended learning combines the benefits of e-learning and traditional training: the supervision of a face-to-face trainer and the freedom of online learning. This is an attractive option for your teams in the field who cannot travel to headquarters regularly.
- Gamification: put into practice through role-playing games and role plays
Simulations and practices help employees exercise and implement their skills in real life situations. This approach is particularly suited to manual jobs, which require the mastery of technical gestures or particular manipulations.
A specific training plan for field teams
Managers and workers have different training needs. It is necessary to create an adapted training plan to each category of personnel according to their role in the company. This program should clearly define educational goals to indicate the skills that employees will acquire after training.
How to implement the skills development of your field teams?
Assessment of the skills of field teams
- To track the skills of each employee in detail, use references and individual sheets.
- Assessment and identification of strengths and weaknesses to determine the necessary and adapted training courses for each employee in the field.
Setting clear goals for skills development
- Your training goals should be concrete, specific, and measurable. They serve as a guide and motivation for the employees who follow your training courses.
- Find intermediate stages of training to encourage engagement and assess the progress of your teams in the field.
Regular monitoring of the skills development of field teams
- Frequent and personalized returns help employees to constantly improve and stay motivated during their training.
- Recognition and congratulations encourage employees to continue their efforts and to invest in their skills development.
Training teams in the field is a lucrative investment for all businesses. Their increase in skills improves the overall performance of the company, its image and retains talent. By implementing appropriate strategies and ensuring rigorous monitoring, companies can optimize the development of their teams and meet market challenges.
