Today’s Safety Daily Advisor Tip: How to Engage Reluctant Learners

• A punishment (i.e., they have to learn new skills because they’re lacking)
• A waste of time
• Irrelevant to their jobs

There are several things you can do to engage these reluctant learners.

• Trainers who are involved in program design can make sure that the training meets the needs of the target audience by including some participants in a focus group.

• Trainers who conduct training sessions can send a welcome memo or e-mail to their trainees in advance to introduce themselves and explain the “WIIFM” (i.e., what’s in it for me?).
• Providing food during training sessions also helps create an environment that is conducive to learning, says Greenbaum. “Having food really makes a difference. People feel more cared for.”
• • Trainers should explain their objectives within the first 15 minutes and ask learners to identify theirs as well.
  • Breaking the training group into smaller groups also helps engage reluctant learners. “There’s less propensity for being difficult when you’re part of a smaller group,” she points out.
  • Walking toward an unengaged learner in an unthreatening manner is another technique. This puts the person in other learners’ line of sight, which will likely prompt the person to pay attention. “It’s subtle, but very effective.”
  • Trainers should try talking to trainees who seem uninterested. During a break in the session, trainers should talk to reluctant learners and ask how the training is going for them. Demonstrating a personal interest, says Greenbaum, is a much better approach than being confrontational.