Training Shift Guidelines

There are some guidelines we have to follow when working a training shift. These guidelines are in place to ensure each trainee is set up for success. 

1. If you cannot work your scheduled training shift, it must be covered by a trainer.

2. If a trainer is already working during the time of your training shift, they may cover the training once you have approved it with the Training Director. They must be able to cover the entire training shift. 

3. You must sit with your trainee during break. We want to set the culture of a warm welcoming team. As a trainer, you become their first friend and the person they will come to rely on if they need anything. Get to know them, make a connection.

What do I do when a trainee is late?

There may be some times where you are expecting to train someone at a certain time and they won’t be there. Occasionally, trainees are late to their shifts. This may pose a problem. The goal is for each trainee to have a full, sufficient training shift, which can be difficult if they are late. As a trainer, we want to set the tone. If it is their first time being late, explain to them the expectations, but if it is a multiple occurrence, let the shift manager or the training director know.

Employee Meals & Breaks When Training

What is the kind of culture we want to have at our store? Trainers are the first impression of our store to our new hires. You are their first friend here. Part of your role is to teach them how to order their employee meals, how to clock out for break, and eat your meal with them. As a trainer, you have the opportunity to make an impact and make the new hire feel warm and invited. 

Steps to follow when going on break with your trainee:

1. Clock out BEFORE going to get your things. This is setting the right example of our policy.

2. Know when to go back from break. By keeping your slip, it can help you keep track of your time.

3. Order your employee meal with a leader.

4. Sit with your trainee during your meal. Talk to them and get to know them! Make an impression.

5. Clock back in together at the appropriate time and return to your spot.

You have been scheduled to train and it’s your first time! What do we do to have an effective training shift?

1. Read any prior training posts made from the other trainers. This can help you get an idea on what type of learner your trainee is and where they may have struggled. 

2. Look through your VSBL checklist. Make sure you are confident to explain and execute all skills listed. 

3. If you are training on F2F, get your training iPad ready.

4. Provide feedback! This is an important step in your trainee’s success. Make sure to sit down with them at the end of the shift and let them know any of their strengths and areas of opportunity. 

5. Give them xtrabucks for anytime they did something great. Make sure to provide a reason behind each xtrabuck.

Stay with your trainees… ALWAYS! 

Your trainee goes EVERYWHERE you go. You two should be stuck together like glue. As a trainer, you should never be doing something different than your trainee. You both need to be doing the same task. Why? If your trainee was left on a station by themselves and you left to stock something, what will happen if your trainee comes across something they haven’t learned or a guest gets frustrated with them. You need to be there to support them. 

Training is NOT babysitting.

When you are training, you are there to train and coach. They should be constantly learning something from you at all times during the training shift. You can do this by quizzing them, having them prepare or do things to assess their skills, and reviewing unmastered items. If you are just standing by their side or doing things for them, that is not training. Your full attention should be on them and what they are doing. Look at their iPad and check for order accuracy, give them tips and pointers on how to expo captain, watch their money handling on cash, etc. Remember, your goal is to set them up for success and prepare for them to be on their own.

With this in mind, there are some basic do's and don'ts to follow when training.

DO: 

• Assess the trainee's skills. Ask them to do things and coach them.

• Quiz them. Ensure they remember all the content you showed them.

• Review unmastered items from a previous training shift. 

• Lead by example. Set the expectation on how that station is supposed to be like.

DON'T:

• Stand around. Make sure you are staying busy and using every opportunity to coach and train.

• Abandon your trainee. You need to be by their side at all times.