Effective and Ineffective Training

Throughout my professional career, I have had the privilege of attending numerous training events, both mandatory and voluntary. While some of these trainings have been effective, others have been less so. Unfortunately, in military and para-military organizations, the number of mandatory job training events that are irrelevant to the job at hand or career advancement tends to be on the rise.

However, one training event that stood out to me as being particularly effective was the Six Sigma Green Belt certification course. This training was made available to me during my time in the Marine Corps, and I found it to be both enlightening and engaging. The course equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a more effective problem-solver and decision-maker in a business environment.

One of the reasons why I found this training to be so effective was that it was highly relevant to my career goals. As someone who was interested in pursuing a career in management, I knew that completing the Six Sigma Green Belt certification would give me a competitive edge in the job market. The training was also challenging, which made it all the more rewarding when I successfully completed it.

It is a common perception that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I recollect attending one of the least effective training sessions when I was employed with the local Sheriff’s department. Although it was mandatory, the training did not draw my interest as I had undergone similar training programs several times prior during my tenure in law enforcement and military. The training in question pertained to ethics, which is deemed incredibly significant in contemporary society. However, the experience was monotonous and uninteresting, and I failed to derive any value that could not have been attained previously. The presenter’s delivery was dry, and there was no personal engagement or interactive element to the training. In my opinion, the training served no purpose other than to waste time and departmental resources.

Attending training events that are relevant, engaging, and challenging can be a valuable investment in one’s career growth and development. The Six Sigma Green Belt certification course was an excellent example of such a training event, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend it.