Coaching Workshop for On-the-Job Trainers 

Objective

 On-the-job training (OJT) is a common means of training 

workers. By definition, it seems relatively simple. However, to 

be effective, training must go beyond the simple process of 

following an experienced worker around the workplace—

sometimes called the "follow Joe" method. NIOSH researchers 

spoke with human resources personnel, safety and health 

specialists, supervisors, experienced miners, and new miners 

and found that OJT was of high interest, but was rarely part of a 

formal or standardized program. Various training methods have 

evolved to ensure that a trainee will absorb the information 

presented rather than simply emulate what the instructor is 

teaching. These methods have been brought together into a 

published guide for developing an effective formalized OJT 

program. The guide (Information Circular (IC) 9479) is called 

"Coaching Skills for On-the-Job Trainers." It contains materials 

and suggestions for your company or mine to conduct a 1-day 

workshop for teaching OJT trainers how to be better coaches to 

less experienced workers. The guide was created by the NIOSH 

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory and a safety professional from a 

private mining company. 

Informal Versus Formal Training

 The informal means of training is the "follow Joe" method 

mentioned above. This way may be effective at times, but there 

will be less of a chance that standardized methods will be 

learned when new employees are informally taught their jobs. 

Also, certain methods or habits that should not be learned may 

be adopted by the new employees. The result is reduced 

efficiency and effectiveness. Giving coaching skills instruction 

to experienced workers will allow them to properly convey the 

information needed to do their tasks to workers new to the job. 

 A formalized program reduces variability in what is taught 

across instructors and over time. Some parameters of a 

structured program that are included in the NIOSH guide are— 

 • Selecting and preparing OJT trainers/coaches 

 • Working with supervisors for successful implementation 

 • Developing and/or selecting training materials 

 • Setting training prerequisites 

 • Evaluating performance 

 • Granting company certification to trainers/coaches and 

 trainees 

 • Evaluating the program 

A Team Effort

Of course, OJT is not just the coach's responsibility. A 

successful OJT program is created in a team environment. The 

champion administers and evaluates the overall program along with 

actively promoting it. The supervisor manages the action part of 

the program. This includes selecting coaches, making a training 

plan, and evaluating the coach and the trainee. The coach does the 

training. The trainee masters what is being taught. 

Coaching Workshop

The 1-day workshop is meant to better hone the knowledge 

and skills of coaches selected to conduct OJT. The workshop 

materials cover the following: determining the individual’s 

OJT trainers can effectively coach new, less experienced miners.

No. 513 February 2006 
coaching characteristics, learning communication skills, discovering how adults learn, preparing training materials, and 

practicing coaching skills. Although the workshop is designed to 

fit into 1 day, it could also be presented in a series of short sessions. 

Workshop materials were field tested with experienced 

miners who were selected to be OJT coaches and with human 

resource and mine safety professionals who are responsible for 

OJT programs. Almost all of the participants stated that the 

workshop was relevant to their jobs, and everyone who 

responded to the evaluation said they would recommend the 

workshop to others. Eighty-seven percent of the participants 

rated the quality of the materials as above average, with over 

half of them giving a rating of "excellent." 

Guide Contents

 The guide is divided into five sections: 

1. Developing a coaching program discusses considerations for setting up a formal OJT program. 

2. Conducting a workshop explains how to set up and 

conduct a workshop to train experienced workers to be 

successful OJT coaches. 

3. Instructor's notes for workshop provide support for 

individuals who would like to conduct a workshop. 

4. Slides for workshop contains hard copies of slides that 

can be used during the workshop. 

5. Student workbook consists of trainee materials that 

coaches follow during the workshop and keep with 

them for use as reference material as they practice their 

coaching skills. 

 A CD–ROM is included containing the above material in 

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat formats. The 

guide can also be downloaded from the NIOSH Website at: 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/products/trainingpackages.htm#

OJT

For More Information

 For more information about coaching skills for on-the-job 

trainers, contact Launa G. Mallett, Ph.D., NIOSH Pittsburgh 

Research Laboratory, Cochrans Mill Rd., P.O. Box 18070, 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236–0070; phone: 412–386–6658; e-mail: 

LMallett@cdc.gov. 

To receive other information about occupational 

safety and health topics, call 1–800–35–NIOSH (1–800–

356–4674), or visit the NIOSH Website at 

www.cdc.gov/niosh 

Mention of any company name or product does not 

constitute endorsement by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health. 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006–118