Tag Archives: coach

General Safety Issues

PUT ME IN COACH, I’M READY TO……..

learn my new job!  Many companies have a trainer or “coach,” who teaches skills to the new employees on a one-on-one basis.  This type of coaching is a spontaneous form of training.  It provides immediate feedback, and correction.  To establish a structured program, parameters must be set regarding issues such as who will conduct the training, what material will be covered, and how long training will last. In addition, the following topics should be considered:

  • Selecting and preparing OJT trainers/coaches
  • Working with supervisors for successful implementation
  • Developing and/or selecting training materials
  • Setting trainee prerequisites
  • Evaluating performance
  • Granting company certification to trainers/coaches and trainees
  • Evaluating the program

The coaching-based On Job Training program strategy is based on a few simple ideas:

  • Management has to create a positive attitude about coaching.
  • A successful OJT program is created in a team environment.
  • A champion in the company is needed to administer the program.
  • Supervisors are assigned to oversee the training needs of each trainee. (Note: They do not necessarily conduct any training.)
  • OJT trainers use coaching skills as they direct the learning process. Every OJT coach is given specialized training on teaching and coaching skills.
  • OJT is conducted based on standardized methods for each job or task.

The foundation of the program is its coaches. Coaches must know and be able to perform the jobs they are teaching and also know how to share their knowledge and skills with a novice.  Choosing the right people to be coaches and then giving them the support they need is key to a successful program.  A coach is “someone who helps someone else (a trainee) learn something that he or she would have learned less well, more slowly or not at all if left alone.”  Here are some of the attributes a good job coach should possess:

Responsiveness – expresses interest in trainee, is a good listener, has good communication skills, accommodates individual differences,  maintains relaxed manner, and is receptive to questions.

Enthusiasm – is energetic, optimistic, prepared, willing to commit time.

Humor – able to incorporate humor in personal and real-life examples during training.

Sincerity/honesty – takes every question seriously and doesn’t pretend to know the answer if they don’t.

Flexibility – able to eliminate, adjust, or alter material during training according to trainees’ needs and/or time constraints.

Tolerance – able to accommodate different personalities and learning style.

Each program will improve over time. Today’s trainees will learn about coaching relationships and be trained using methods that adhere to adult learning principles. These employees will have a head start when it is their turn to take on the roles of supervisor and coach in the future.

Whenever I was learning a new job, an experienced worker with lots of patience and one who didn’t mind answering the same question always made it easier for me.  One in particular that I remember, took me step-by-step slowly and thoroughly through the paces, and made it seem easy.  Being a good “job coach” is the same as being a good teacher.  We all probably have a particular teacher in mind that made an impression on us that we have carried through life.  The responsibility of a job coach is to ensure that all new trainees are ready to fulfill their job duties in a safe and thoughtful way.

Source: CDC

General Safety Issues

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER – IT’S NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK!

My deepest apologies – I have almost let National Volunteer Week slip by!  The observance began on the 10th of April through April 16th.  Hopefully, you were already aware of this special time that is set aside to recognize those who give their time and service to various good causes in their communities.  According to FEMA Regional Administrator, Ken Murphy, National Volunteer Week is all about inspiring, recognizing, and encouraging people to check out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.  This year’s theme in the United States is “Inspire By Example.”  Canada is also observing their National Volunteer Week during this week, with the theme, “Volunteers: Passion. Action. Impact.” 

It would be hard to find the proper words to express the debt we owe those persons who do various kinds of volunteer work, and the many who volunteer for duties at more than one place.  In the case of FEMA, their concern is knowing that there will be volunteers to plan for disasters, plan for elderly, those who do not have transportation, and others that may not be prepared for storms, floods, or worse.  We have seen numerous earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes this year, and in each case, volunteers have rushed to rescue the stranded, and start the recovery process.  Wildfires have been rampant in several parts of Texas; professional firefighters would be in a terrible fix if it were not for the area volunteer fire departments that do all they can to join them in order to save land, homes, and animals for property owners.  

The next time you enter a hospital, nursing home, school, shelter, or similar facility, look around, and you will most likely see a volunteer.  It may be a person simply reading to an elderly person in a nursing home, filing in a hospital office, helping a teacher in the classroom, or serving food in a shelter.  Persons who deliver food to the elderly or disabled contribute a very valuable service.

How about young parents, who volunteer to coach baseball, football, soccer, or other sports for the children?  Positions on most school boards and hospital boards are unpaid.  Those folks give not only their time for meetings, but have to take phone calls from concerned citizens much of the time.  Hotlines also require volunteers to be ready to answer questions and guidance. 

I am sure I have overlooked many other aspects of volunteerism.  I only know that it is important that we help others by giving back.  I served as President of our hospital volunteers, a group of dedicated workers that got along very well and raised a lot of money for equipment for the hospital.  We had fun, and I got to know some of the best people in the world, that I probably would never have known had it not been for belonging to that group.  There are so many ways to serve, and I hope you will look for your place.  Believe me, you will be paid back in ways you can’t imagine. 

May 7th is “Join Hands Day,” which is established to promote youth and adults volunteering together to improve their communities.  We need to work with our young people.  There’s no better way to inspire each other than by working together for a good cause.  Finally, thank you to all who serve!