How Long Does It Take To Train A New Employee?

How long does it take to train a new employee? In this video, you’ll discover exactly how long it takes, the keys to their training, and a forgotten training method essential for proper training. Stay with us to find out more. 

What to Remember as a Project Management Leader

For those in project management roles—whether you’re a superintendent, assistant, director, owner, or foreman—understand that if you’re skilled, you’ve received significant training, even if you don’t remember it all. Many of us mistakenly think we figured things out on our own, but in reality, we had mentors, training programs, and hands-on experience over many years.

The Forgotten Training Method

Historically, even when training environments were tough and sometimes harsh, training was thorough. With today’s emphasis on professional and psychologically safe environments, there’s a risk of not training adequately. The challenge now is to train effectively while maintaining these positive environments.

The Key to Employee Training for Different Positions

Field Engineer/Project Engineer: Minimum 1.5 years
Superintendent/PM: Minimum 6 years (used to be 12)
General Superintendent/Director: Minimum 12 years

To achieve these durations, trainees must go through builder positions. Builder roles provide hands-on experience essential for understanding the full scope of construction projects.

Importance of Builder Experience

Builder roles like foreman or worker focus on specific tasks, whereas roles like superintendent or PM require planning, scheduling, and risk management skills. A year and a half as a field engineer provides the necessary broad perspective by working on various tasks and trades, making it a vital step in training.

Interpersonal Skills

Working through people is crucial, as 80% of construction work involves interpersonal interactions. Key resources include:

• “How to Win Friends and Influence People”
• “Leadership and Self-Deception”
• Courses by Simon Sinek and Brene Brown

Leadership Skills

Leadership is vital for creating a positive work environment and building a cohesive team. Recommended resources include:

• Tony Robbins courses
• Rapport Leadership International
• Various leadership books

Technical Skills

Technical proficiency is essential. Learn tools and software such as:

• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Project management software
• Google SketchUp
• Scheduling and RFI processes

Key Things to Do When Training New Employees

1. Alignment with Core Values: Trainees must align with the company’s core values to be a good fit.
2. Delivering Outcomes: Skills and experience are important, but delivering project outcomes is crucial. This includes maintaining clean, safe, and organized projects.
3. Good Project Experiences: New employees must have at least two good project experiences before taking on their own projects. Good experiences are essential for replicating successful outcomes.

Conclusion

To properly train someone, ensure they have skills, leadership qualities, and align with core values. They must also deliver outcomes and have good project experiences. For more detailed steps and timelines, check the description below. Thank you for being part of our community—subscribe and stay engaged for more content. On we go!