What is On-the-Job Training (OJT)?
On the job training is training that occurs at the work site. There are two types on on-the-job training – unstructured and structured. Unstructured OJT, also known as the degenerating buddy system or “follow Joe around and watch what he does”, is something we’re all familiar with and have probably had to endure at some time in our careers. This is an unplanned, hit-and-miss, trial-and-error method where valuable details are left out, mistakes are perpetuated, and there is no consistency from employee to employee. Structured OJT is a systematic, purposeful approach. With structured OJT, you have a trained trainer who understands how to deliver one-on-one training and who uses written materials while training. And there is an orderly method to the training delivery: first, the trainer demonstrates the task; second, the trainee performs the task as the trainer coaches; third, the trainee performs the task again without assistance and then gets specific feedback from the trainer; and four
