How to Collect Feedback from Trainees

It’s standard practice to hand out survey forms when a day of training is done, or to email feedback forms to trainees the next day. But is that enough?Probably not. Because getting the right feedback in the right ways can lead to continuous improvement in all your training efforts, let’s take a closer look at how to add value to the feedback process.Collect Operational Feedback as Soon as Sessions EndIt is too early to collect data on the long-term effects that your training could produce. But it is a great time to ask trainees to comment on the quality of the program, by asking questions like these:

• Did you learn what you expected to in the training sessions?
• Was the trainer knowledgeable, prepared, and able to answer questions and resolve any problems?
• Did the training keep you interested and engaged?
• Which concepts do you think will be the most helpful and productive?
• How soon will you start to apply the ideas that you took away?
• Was there a good mixture of presentations, breakout sessions and other forms of learning?
• Did any problems occur during the session? If so, how were they resolved?
• What was the best part of the program?
• What part of the program needed the most improvement?
• What suggestions would you like to make about future training?

Ask about Results at Regular Intervals after Training Collect a different kind of feedback in the weeks and months after training is done – feedback that lets trainees tell you about results. Here are some questions to ask:

• Have you been able to apply what you learned?
• Specifically, which ideas have you put into practice?
• Have you been unable to apply some of the ideas you learned? If so what were they, and why?
• Can you provide any specific feedback on how your activities have changed since training? Have you closed more sales or accomplished other measurable results?
• In light of what you now know, what changes would you recommend in future training programs?

Compare Feedback against Measurable MetricsCompare the feedback to the metrics that you developed before training began.  Remember that feedback from trainees generally yields “soft” data; they think they have applied certain concepts or that they are being more productive. But it is not enough to have people feel better, you need to quantify training results against hard data like increased sales, higher levels of customer satisfaction and cost savings.Build Feedback into Training and Boost Your ROIIf you would like to know more about using feedback to augment the effectiveness of your training, give Tortal Training a call today at 704-323-8953.