Needs analysis can be assessed in two ways: knowledge needs and skill needs. A knowledge needs assessment can be done informally by simply asking questions of your machinists that consist of what you consider to be the requisite knowledge they should have to do their job.

For instance, you could ask them how they apply the concept of effective diameter, or how the cutting speed changes for P-20 compared to High-Hard P-20. Or, you can contact a provider of machining courses for a written needs analysis to give your machinists. The test shouldn’t be long or threatening, but carefully designed to assess a wide range of knowledge areas.

Once their knowledge level is determined, then you can choose the best method to enhance their education—whether it be online training, studying a manual, working with a machine manufacturer’s technical specialist, taking a CNC class, etc.

The second assessment has to do with skills. To do a proper skills assessment, you must know what skills are needed for your machinists to be successful in your shop. Sit with the shop foreman, programmer, designer and machinist and perhaps a training provider to develop a clear checklist of skills for each work area.

Once everyone agrees on what the specific skills are the employees need to possess to be successful, have each machinist demonstrate their skills. Then, they can be trained accordingly. Make them demonstrate that they either have or don’t have what they need and train accordingly.