Exploring Why On-the-Job Training is a Popular Choice for Security Employers

At GuardPass, a recent LinkedIn poll revealed that 64% of security employers prefer on-the-job training for skill development. This method stands out for providing real-world experience, immediate application of skills, cost-effectiveness, and improved team cohesion. Discover why on-the-job training is the best fit for boosting your security team’s performance and adaptability. Read the full blog…

At GuardPass, we recently ran a poll on LinkedIn, asking security employers about their preferred methods for developing their teams’ skills. The results are in, and they’ve given us some intriguing insights! Let’s dive into the findings together.

The Poll Results: On-the-Job Training Leads the Way

GuardPass poll

We asked a simple yet crucial question: “How do you prefer to develop your security team’s skills?” Here’s how you all voted:

  • In-house training sessions: 29%
  • Workshops & Seminars: 7%
  • Online courses and e-learning: 0%
  • On-the-job training: 64%

The clear favourite, with a whopping 64% of the vote, was on-the-job training. But what makes this method so appealing for security employers? Let’s explore.

The Appeal of On-the-Job Training

  1. Real-World Experience

On-the-job training allows team members to learn in real-time, dealing with real situations as they arise. 

There’s nothing quite like handling a security challenge in the moment to build confidence and competence. It’s a bit like learning to swim by jumping into the pool – there’s no substitute for actual experience!

  1. Immediate Application

Unlike theoretical training sessions, on-the-job training lets employees immediately apply what they’ve learned. This instant application helps reinforce knowledge and skills, making them stick. 

Think of it as learning by doing, which, let’s be honest, is often the best way to really grasp security concepts and procedures.

  1. Cost-Effectiveness

For many security employers, on-the-job training is a cost-effective security training solution. It eliminates the need for expensive courses or seminars, and there’s no travel required. Plus, since employees are working while they learn, there’s no downtime. This efficiency is a win-win for both training budgets and operational readiness.

  1. Team Cohesion

Training together on the job can also foster better teamwork. 

When security staff face challenges together and support each other in overcoming them, it builds camaraderie and a stronger team dynamic. And who doesn’t want a team that works well together?

  1. Customised Learning

Every workplace is unique, and on-the-job training allows for a customised learning experience that’s directly relevant to the specific challenges and requirements of your environment. 

This approach ensures that the training is relevant and practical, addressing the real-world scenarios that security personnel will encounter.

Other Security Training Programs: A Quick Look

While on-the-job training took the lead, in-house training sessions also garnered a solid 29%. These sessions can be great for focused learning on specific security topics, offering a controlled environment to drill down into important areas. 

Workshops and seminars, though less popular, still offer valuable opportunities for networking and learning from industry experts.

Interestingly, online courses and e-learning didn’t get any votes this time around, but they can still remain valuable for their flexibility and access to a wide range of resources.

Finding the Right Balance

Every team is different, and the best training approach often involves a mix of methods. On-the-job training provides practical, hands-on experience, while in-house sessions, workshops, and online courses can supplement with theory and specialised knowledge.

It’s all about finding the right balance that suits your team’s unique needs.

Summary

At GuardPass, we’re dedicated to helping you develop your security team’s skills in the most effective ways possible. This poll has provided valuable insights into your preferences, and we’re excited to continue supporting your training needs with cost-effective and efficient security training programs.

Thanks for participating in the poll and sharing your thoughts with us! If you have any more insights or experiences to share, we’d love to hear from you. After all, the best learning often comes from each other.

Looking to streamline your corporate training and security hiring processes? We’ve got you covered with nationwide SIA training boasting a 95% pass rate, effortless compliance, and simple management from one dashboard. Get started by clicking here.

Until next time, stay safe and keep learning!Best regards,
The GuardPass Team

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes