Don't forget to follow up

So, your employees have completed the training program. How do you make sure the trainees have retained the information and implement it in their workday?

• Refresher training - Give your employees some time to soak in the initial training program. In a few days or weeks after, set up a refresher course to make sure the information sticks.
  
• Follow-up activities - Set up mock situations for employees to run through that is tied to the training they received. It will keep employees engaged and it will help you reiterate your key training points.
  
• Performance appraisals - Follow up your training after a determined amount of time with a training appraisal. It doesn’t have to be a strict, formal appraisal, but just something that gives you proof on paper whether the employee retained the information or not.
  

Remember that not every employee is going to fully “get it” on the first shot. Follow-up activities will help those employees who didn’t completely grasp what was taught the first time around.