Having a group of new employees are great, but having to train them so they’ll be ready is another thing. If you’re having problems on how to efficiently train engineering interns, we have some good tips for you. It’s always good to be on top of your interns’ learning so you’ll be sure that they’ll provide what you need when you need it.
Shadowing
Source: UConn
Learning from someone who’s great at a task is the best way to know the ropes. Having your new intern shadow someone who you think is a good example can cut your training time by a whole lot. Some positions require newbies to do something that they weren’t really taught, especially for fresh graduates. This is one of the reasons why shadowing might be the best tool for them.
Have department introductions
It’s hard enough for interns to know what to do and it’s even harder to know who to ask about it. Having department heads from all the areas visit an intern group can help them be associated better. Have a team lead describe what they do or have a head talk about the company. It not only helps the interns connect with the company more, it also helps them know who to go to.
Advanced preparation
Source: BattlBox Forum
Most interns would have already been prepared about their roles based on their job description. But why stop there if you could give them more information to get them ready? Assigning a manual or adding them to the company’s community can help them prepare for their roles while connecting with others as well.
Screencasts
Source: LLI
Lectures are long and tiring, especially if you’re the one giving it. If you know that you’re bound to teach people the same thing in the future, having a screencast would be better. Not only does it allow you to replay it to others over and over, it also allows your interns to see how the process works.
Setting a workflow
If your interns are having a hard time sticking to a process, try building a workflow. Simply record the tasks unique to their role and make sure it’s clear and concise. This removes the hassle of you repeating instructions, it also allows them to use it as a cheat sheet.
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