Training Within Industry (TWI)

LEVERAGE THE ROLE OF YOUR SUPERVISORS AND TEAM LEADERS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVE MORALE, AND REDUCE TRAINING TIME. 

Training Within Industry (TWI) is a time-tested workforce training system developed during World War II that allowed the US to quickly upskill our workforce. We were able to transform an inexperienced workforce into a capable team. The system is as relevant and practical today as it was then, and it is an integral part of Impact Washington’s Workforce Solutions System approach and offerings.

Each training program can be delivered as a stand-alone program. However, best practice uses all four job training programs as part of a systemic approach that develops workforce skill and increases performance.

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TWI: CONSCIENTIOUS TRANING, LESS MISTAKES, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

TWI is an essential element of lean manufacturing and performance excellence programs worldwide, including the Toyota Production System.

Any manufacturer who wants to train new and existing workers to be conscientious with each operation will value these simple but effective methods. The goal of TWI is to train new hires in a consistent way that is also hands-on. The TWI methods focus on reducing scrap or rework, achieving higher proficiency levels more quickly, and eliminating mistakes.

TWI FOCUS ON BUILDING SUPERVISOR's KNOWLEDGE BASES

Competency in two general areas – knowledge and skill – determines the supervisor's effectiveness. TWI focuses on building supervisors’ knowledge bases so they can raise their employees' skill levels.

By effectively implementing all four methods of TWI, your employees will have a higher trust for their supervisors, positive attitudes, and better collaboration. Not only that, but your supervisors will have a better knowledge of the processes themselves, understand their team’s strengths and weaknesses, and create better job relations.

As you embed TWI into a core element of your operational strategy, your organization will:

  • Generate cooperation and positive employee relation
  • Teach supervisors how to quickly and correctly train employees
  • Establish and maintain standardized work
  • Improve methods
  • Solve problems efficiently and effectively
  • Create a safe work environment

Integrated with other Workforce Solutions offerings and strategies, TWI delivers a people-focused training and development system that provides consistent results.

WHY THE TWI TRAINING METHOD IS EFFECTIVE:

People Focused

Your people become involved and feel appreciated; their performance and emotional commitment take productivity to new heights. Supervisors learn to instruct, improve methods, and lead people effectively through TWI training

Learn By Doing

The TWI training method emphasizes step-by-step instruction, practice, and coaching. Learners aren't just observers; they're doers

Employees Develop Long-Term Skills

The expertise your team learns sticks with them, leading to process consistency, stability, and better, more efficient teamwork

Aligned With Goals

Before any training begins, we work with you to understand what you need to accomplish and set target metrics accordingly

TWI OFFERS FOUR PROGRAMS TO BUILD SUPERVISOR AND EMPLOYEE SKILLS:

Job Relations (JR) Training

Teaches supervisors how to develop and maintain good employee relations

Job Instruction (JI) Training

Instruct supervisors on how to effectively and efficiently train employees to do a job correctly, safely, and conscientiously

Job Methods (JM) Training

Shows supervisors how to improve the way jobs are done continuously

Job Safety (JS) Training 

Teaches supervisors how to engage employees in identifying potential safety hazards and eliminating them

BENEFITS YOU CAN EXPECT

  • 50-90% less time for upskilling training to proficiency
  • 25% reduction in non-value-added work
  • Standard work established
  • Better employee retention, Morale, and cooperation
  • Higher labor efficiency - and a more flexible workforce
  • Improved safety culture

COURSE STRUCTURE 

Each of our Training Within Industry (TWI) courses is structured in the same way:

  • Five two-hour sessions take place over five consecutive days, with time for delivery and coaching conducted on-site to minimize time away from work.
  • Class size is 8 – 10 participants (team, cell, group leaders, etc.) 
  • In the first session of each course, the trainer presents a real-world problem that everyone can easily relate to and shows the poor ways in which these problems are usually handled in the workplace.
  • The TWI “4-Step Method” - Preparation, Application, Presentation, and Testing - is introduced to show how participants can handle such problems more effectively to gain better results. The first two sessions focus on learning the methods.
  • The remaining course time is given to the participant's presentation of actual and current problems.
  • TWI “learn by doing” methodology requires participants to put what they learned in class immediately to use in the workplace.

Follow-up coaching in the methods is strongly recommended to keep the training and continuous improvement efforts on track. This coaching is wrapped into Impact Washington Workforce Solutions People Systems' supporting training and consulting.

TWI programs teach essential skills for supervisors, team leaders, and anyone who directs the work of others. Upon completion and implementation, your leaders will be more effective in training efficiently, leading teams, deploying continuous improvement methodology, and developing a collaborative safety culture.