How do I motivate my employees to attend training sessions?
Training is mandatory – but it can also provide real support in daily work. With the right attitude and preparation, you can positively engage your employees. Explain why the training is important, show practical examples, keep it short and clear, actively involve the employees, and demonstrate how it improves their workday.
Start with the why!
Training serves safety, health, and orientation. However, many employees perceive it as „irrelevant“, „too dry“, or a „waste of time“. Motivation arises when they understand the purpose and realize: „This really benefits me.“
How to make training motivating?
- Make sense and benefit clear: Right from the start, explain why the training is important for everyone – for example: Prevents errors, Protects against accidents, Simplifies processes, Strengthens the team.
- Practice over theory: Show concrete situations from your employees‘ daily work. Examples, short demonstrations, or real cases have a stronger impact than long rules.
- Short, clear, relevant: Plan training sessions focused and well-structured. Avoid unnecessary content. Anything unrelated to daily work is demotivating.
- Actively involve employees: Ask questions, gather experiences, let employees name short examples. Those who participate actively feel valued.
- Model a positive attitude: If you yourself stand behind the topic, everyone will notice. Appreciation strengthens motivation.
- Make success visible: Show what the training improves in daily work: fewer errors, safer processes, clear responsibilities.
Further information:
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) emphasizes in its guidelines on occupational safety organization that training must be effective, which is achieved, among other things, through clarity, practical relevance, and employee participation. (BMAS – Occupational Safety Act & Training Obligations):https://www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsschutz/erklaerung-arbeitsschutz.html#docd305cf00-0592-4cb1-8f11-89ee5ce969c7bodyText4