Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) Practice Exam

Which would be the best example of structured on-the-job training?

1. A supervisor guides an employee through tasks informally

2. An employee shadows a colleague with experience

3. A supervisor provides an employee with a standard operating procedure for a job task

4. Employees attend workshops outside of work hours

The correct answer is: A supervisor provides an employee with a standard operating procedure for a job task

Structured on-the-job training involves a clear and organized approach to teaching employees how to perform their jobs. The best example provided is when a supervisor offers an employee a standard operating procedure for a job task. This method is systematic because it provides a documented guideline that outlines the specific steps, expectations, and processes needed to complete the job task effectively. Standard operating procedures ensure consistency and help employees understand their roles more clearly, making it an essential component of structured training programs. In contrast, the other examples lack the element of structure. Informal guidance from a supervisor does not provide the same level of organization or clarity, making it less effective in standardizing training. Shadowing a colleague can be beneficial but is often unstructured, relying on the experienced employee's method rather than a defined process. Similarly, attending workshops outside of work hours may enhance skills but lacks direct applicability to the specific job tasks the employee is expected to perform while also not being an on-the-job training method. Thus, the provided option illustrates the concept of structured on-the-job training most effectively.