Cutting Through Barriers: Designing Training for low literacy staff
Creating effective training is all about meeting the learners where they are—especially when they have unique needs. We learned this firsthand while developing a module for stockroom workers on how to safely use safety knives. We were told many of the staff had limited English skills, so we had to get creative in our approach and design with their specific challenges in mind.
Understanding the Learners’ Needs
The first step was getting a clear picture of who our learners were and what would help them succeed. Although we knew we needed to design eLearning for scalability purposes (this client had multiple locations throughout the country), we knew that a text-heavy module wouldn’t work for this learner group. Many of these workers spoke different languages, and had limited English reading skills, so we needed to find ways to convey the information simply and visually.
Luckily, our team includes former English teachers who understand how to communicate clearly. Their expertise shaped our approach, allowing us to break down the content into easily digestible pieces.
So, how did we design this training to suit our learners? Here’s what worked:
Visual Learning through Images and Symbols
We used plenty of images and symbols to illustrate key concepts. For example, instead of lengthy descriptions of knife safety procedures, we created icons for ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’ and diagrams to show clearly what was and was not appropriate use of the knives. This approach made the instructions immediately understandable, even for those with limited English proficiency.
Incorporating Video Demonstrations
We included video demonstrations that had been produced by the knife manufacturers, showing the correct use of safety knives in real stockroom scenarios. By providing these visual examples, learners could easily grasp how to handle knives safely without relying solely on written or spoken instructions.
Simple, Clear Language
When we did use text, it was short, straightforward, and free of jargon. We repeated key points in different ways, giving learners multiple chances to understand the essential information through context if they missed the details.
Real-Life Practice and Sign-Off
We then included a two-step approach to ensure the training stuck and was transferred into real life. First, learners observed safe knife use in real-life situations, demonstrated by their manager. Then, they had to have a go themselves: they were asked to demonstrate their knife skills to their supervisor. Only after successfully showing they could use the knives safely did they receive sign-off for using the new knives in their day-to-day job. This hands-on practice was crucial in both reinforcing and demonstrating their understanding.
Why It Matters
Meeting your learners where they are is everything. By focusing on what worked for our stockroom workers—visuals, simple language, and hands-on practice—we turned knife safety training into something practical and easy to understand.
When your audience has unique needs, like low literacy, it's not about dumbing things down; it’s about sharpening your approach to make learning stick. After all, it’s not just about knowing safety information—it’s about making sure learners feel confident enough to put those behaviours into action every day.
