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Method for effective employee training
TWI is a management support programme that helps managers and experienced workers instruct new employees more effectively.
Employee preparation
Demonstration of work
Checking the pupil’s recall of instructions
Initial supervision of student tasks
History of TWI
TWI is a worker training system that was developed in the United States during the Second World War.
It was prompted by the arms industry’s increased need for new workers.
“We have to produce two planes for every one Hitler, two tanks for his one, two ships for his one, two weapons for his one”. – said the head of the US Department of Defence commission
Unfortunately, most of the experienced personnel were drafted into an army that had to fight on two fronts (in Europe and the Pacific).
There was an increased demand for the equipment and supplies needed for combat.
Companies were forced to employ young people and women who had not previously worked in industry. Many measures were taken in the US, including for women, to encourage them to work in industry. A programme for the development of foremen and masters, called TWI (Training in Industry), was developed.
The aim of the TWI programme was to rapidly develop new, talented production staff to achieve productivity and quality gains as a result.
The overarching goal was to train the production staff to perform their work continuously, safely, quickly, and correctly.
The importance of training - for the employee
- Helps to understand the company’s mission
- Ties the employee to the company
- Builds a good relationship with the employer
- Helps to get a good result at work
- Gives a sense of security
- Motivates to work and act
- Gives job satisfaction
- Integrates employees
Importance of training - for the employer
- Improves the quality and effectiveness of employee training
- Reduces training time for new employees
- Improves work safety
- Improves working methods
- Improves employee relations
- Raises awareness among employees at all levels
- Increases company productivity
- Reduces complaints and scrap levels
The 4-step method of the TWI programme - instructing a worker to a standard
Step 1 - Prepare the employee
- Create a relaxed working atmosphere –
- Stress will cause a barrier to communication.
- Define the work – Tell and show by example what the employee will be doing.
- Find out what the learner can already do. Ask if the employee has done similar or the same job before.
- Get the learner interested in what you will be teaching them. Point out the importance of doing the work correctly.
- Put the learner in the correct position.
Step 2 - Present your work
- Discuss, demonstrate and illustrate one Principal Step at a time.
- Do the work again, highlighting each Tip.
Instruct clearly, accurately and patiently, but do not give more information than the student can master in one go.
Step 3 - Test the student
- Student does the job – correct the mistakes
- Pupil does the work – underline Main steps
- Pupil does the work – underline Guidance
An appropriate number of repetitions is one after which the worker has fully learnt and is able to do the work.
Step 4 - Supervision
- Leave the pupil alone
- Tell him/her where to go for help
- Check on him/her frequently
- Encourage him/her to ask questions
- Gradually reduce supervision
If the worker has not learned, it means the instructor has not taught him.
