Training Employees is Essential to Farm Success
There are numerous ways in which the training of farm employees improves the operational performance of an indoor farm. To begin, when employees are trained on work processes, it standardizes the ways of working, helps improve reliability and cuts down on errors.
Additionally, training employees helps them feel valued and appreciated, which makes it possible for them to approach their job responsibilities with more confidence. This will lead to an increase in employee productivity and job performance.
Training Employees Provides Additional Benefits, too
In addition to helping standardize processes and improve employee morale there are numerous other benefits of training employees. For example, a program that trains employees how to work safely and make sound decisions on the use of materials, tools and equipment will reduce accidents, minimize waste and prevent equipment damage.
Training employees also reduces turnover. Because employees who are trained feel valued, they are more likely to stay with the organization and learn new skills so they can take on more responsibility. They work professionally and productively, further increasing their value to the organization.
Are You Training Your Employees Effectively?
While most organizations recognize the importance of training employees, it’s also important to ensure the training is effective and efficient. Training that is effective achieves the desired business results, as learners gain the desired knowledge and skills and apply them in their work. Training that is efficient achieves the desired results without wasting time, energy, or other resources.
Training and Education Services We Offer
- Assessment of Employee Training Needs and Priorities
- Development of Organization Training & Education Plans
- Development and Implementation of Training Programs
- Review and Selection of Training Materials
- Knowledge of Indoor Farm Applicable Training Requirements
Our Expertise
Our training and education group is anchored by the Center’s founder and an industry expert with decades of experience and a Ph.D. in training and performance.
Pamela Loughner, Ph.D.
Director Training and Education
Dr. Pamela Loughner has more than twenty years of experience in the field of workplace learning and performance. During that time, she has been responsible for the design and development of more than 500 custom learning solutions. Industries in which she has worked include pharmaceuticals, information technology, energy, manufacturing, construction, chemical, and financial services. Her work on a wide variety of projects, combined with her pursuit of advanced degrees in the field of instructional systems design have helped Dr. Loughner build expertise in curriculum design, instructional design and development, and program evaluation. Dr. Loughner earned a B.S. in Education, and M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Instructional Systems from The Pennsylvania State University.
Eric W. Stein, Ph.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Stein is the Executive Director of the Center. He has a Ph.D. in business from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Physics from Amherst College. He is tenured faculty in the business school at Penn State and has taught courses on sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity and corporate innovation. He has done applied research on the business aspects of indoor farming for over ten years including running a small indoor vertical farm for R&D. The Center is the result of a year-long study he did on the feasibility of setting a Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture. A frequent participant or attendee of Indoor Ag-Con, the Agtech Innovation Summit and other conferences on indoor farming, he has been quoted in Fast Company, Seed World, and Rolling Stone in addition to appearing in other publications.
