ICE Chips

Q. Every year we show the same video during our annual GMP training for people in our plant. Veteran employees have seen the video so many times they know it by heart. Realistically it is outdated training and we continue to have the same issues on the floor. Any suggestions on how we can make the training better?

A. I run into your question time and again at food plants. How do we jazz up GMP training and make a difference in the plant? Some facilities try to make it an annual event tied into other training activities or events. Others bring in an outside trainer. Too often, the training package is so generic in nature that employees ignore it because it doesn’t seem to apply to their plant. Nothing in the material relates to what they do.

I suggest that you create a training program using your own facility and the issues you need to resolve. Take photos of good and bad examples throughout the plant to tailor your message directly to the issues you need to take care of. Engage employees in a discussion about things they are familiar with. Ultimately, you are looking for solutions while educating the people why the condition is not acceptable. You can also deliver part of your message in a classroom, and then go to the plant floor for a practical example and return to the class to discuss possible solutions.

I would discourage going on a witch hunt or targeting an individual or group because they will feel singled out. For the purposes of training, get a group of pictures that represent a variety of issues, both large and small, throughout the plant. Have employees work in small groups that are representative of all areas of the plant. This offers a different perspective on the issue and the solution. Groups of the same department tend to become defensive if they are pooled together.

Working in this format you have a group of engaged people working on solutions rather than a captive group forced to sit through another viewing of the same old video. Their participation increases learning and will help them remember to change things on the food processing plant floor. Keep in mind, however, it may take a few sessions to get the employees to realize how important these educational sessions really are to correct potential issues.