ti uie Training

use on-the-job training has the potential for disrupting the production
process, many companies prefer vestibule training; that is, establishing a
lated workspace in a separate training facility. (A vestibule is a hail-
er entrance foyer between the outer door of a building and its main
. In the early days of American industry, vestibule schools were
ized just inside the doors of industrial plants to introduce new work-
their jobs with a few weeks of specialized training. The word vestibule
used in this context to denote that the training program is like an entry-
av or passageway the employee must traverse before getting to the job
Using the same kind of equipment and operating procedures as the
ac :al work situation, a vestibule training program relies on skilled instruc-
, rather than experienced workers and supervisors, to teach new work-
how to perform their jobs.
There are several advantages to vestibule training. Because its sole
urpose is training, there is no pressure to maintain a given level of pro-
ctrvity. Trainees do not have to be concerned about making costly or
embarrassing errors or about damaging production equipment. They can
ntrate on learning the skills necessary to be successful on the job.
The greatest disadvantage of vestibule training is the cost. The orga-
tion must equip the facility and maintain a teaching staff. This expense
particularly burdensome when there are not enough new workers to
make full use of the training facility.
if the training situation does not correspond closely to the work situ-
negative transfer of training will occur, and the trainees may need
on-the-job instruction once they start to work. This problem can
t- aggravated by the common industry practice of using obsolete equip-
eat, retired from the production floor, in the training facility. However,
vestibule training program is properly designed, staffed, and equipped,
can be an effective training technique.

Apprenticeship
t,rhaps the earliest recorded training method still in use today is the
apprenticeship program for skilled crafts and trades in private-sector in-
dustries such as construction and manufacturing. Programs are available
plumbers, carpenters, electronics technicians, painters, and auto me-
_tunics, among others. Conducted in the classroom and on the job, ap-
,7renticeship involves extensive background preparation in the craft as well
actual work experience under the guidance of experts.
Apprenticeships average 4 to 6 years. The standard procedure is for
the trainees to agree to work for a company for a fixed period in return for

(lapter 6 tra niu and 1