Does corporate training have any similarities to classroom teaching? Besides my experiences in the high school classroom, I’ve sat through many corporate training sessions, worked with corporate capability development executives, even developed and delivered occupational training content.
There are similarities. The knowledge needs to be communicated, values disseminated, skills demonstrated and taught, and an evaluation conducted.
And there are differences. High school activity is concerned with future-based outcomes in external environments. Students can learn from mistakes early to prepare for eventual success outside of school. Corporate learning is focused on the here and now, succeeding within the corporate environment. A fatality whilst using the laser-guided saw is not a learning experience.
Additionally, teaching at high school is a non-stop activity. Teachers must continually motivate their students as they also maintain discipline. They don’t have the option, as the corporate trainer does, of being an hour late because they were getting a spray tan during their lunch break.