Difference Between On-the-job and Off-the-job training (with Comparison Chart)

Nowadays, training has become the core needs of the organization to develop specific skills in their existing and prospective employees. There are two methods for imparting training in workers are on-the-job training and off-the-job training. As their name suggests, the former refers to the training imparted at the actual job location involving ‘hands-on’ training, whereas the latter method involves giving training to the employees at a place other than the real job location.

While on-the-job training is provided at the workplace itself, the trainees produce things while learning. In off-the-job training, the trainiees are away from the work environment, that eliminates stress, frustration and bustle of day-to-day job.

Check out the article presented to you, to learn the differences between on-the-job-training and off-the-job-training.

Content: On-the-job training Vs Off-the-job training

Comparison Chart
Definition
Key Differences
Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	On-the-job training	Off-the-job training
Meaning	On the job training refers to a form of training which is provided at the work place during the performance of the actual job.	When the employees are given training outside the actual work location, such a type of training is termed as off the job training.
Approach	Practical	Theoretical
Active participation	Yes	No
Location	At the workplace	Away from the workplace
Principle	Learning by performing	Learning by acquiring knowledge
Work disruption	No, because trainees produce the products during learning.	Yes, because first training is provided which is followed by a performance.
Carried out by	Experienced employees	Professionals or experts.
Cost	Inexpensive	Expensive
Suitable for	Manufacturing firms	Non-manufacturing firms

Definition of On-the-job training

As the name suggests, “on the job” training (OJT) is a method of imparting training to the employees when they are on the job at the workplace. The aim of training is to make the employees familiar with the normal working situation, i.e. during the training period, the employees will get the first-hand experience of using machinery, equipment, tools, materials, etc. It also helps the employees to learn how to face the challenges that occur during the performance of the job.

On-the-Job Training Methods

The main theme of this training method is learning by doing where the supervisor or the experienced employees demonstrate the trainees how to perform a particular task. The trainees follow the instructions of the supervisor and perform the task.

Due to the simplicity, this method highly used by the firms to train the current or future employees.

Definition of Off-the-job training

“Off the job” training is a method of training, which is undertaken at a site, away from the actual workplace for a particular period. The reason behind imparting training at a place other than the job location is to provide a stress-free environment to the employees where they can concentrate only on learning. Study material is supplied to the trainees, for complete theoretical knowledge.

Off-the-job Training Methods

The trainees are free to express their views and opinions during the training session. Moreover, they can explore new and innovative ideas.

It is one of the expensive training methods. It involves selection of the place of training, the arrangement of facilities for the workers, hiring an expert to impart training, etc.

Key Differences Between On-the-job and Off-the-job training

The basic differences between on-the-job and off-the-job training are indicated below:

The training method used to impart training to employees while he is at the workplace performing the job is known as On-the-job training. Off-the-job training involves the training of employees outside the job location.
On the job training has a practical approach, whereas off the job training is theoretical.
On the job training involves the hands-on experience of the trainees which is not with the case of off the job training.
‘On the job’ training involves learning by doing the task while ‘off the job’ training involves learning by acquiring knowledge.
In on the job training, there is no work disruption as the training and production go hand in hand. Conversely, in off the job training, the work is hampered because first of all training is provided which is followed by the actual performance.
On-the-job training is carried out by the experienced employees. Unlike off-the-job training which is provided by the experts.
On the job training is less expensive than off the job training.
On the job training is appropriate for manufacturing entities while off the job training is suitable for non-manufacturing entities.

Conclusion

Testing often follows training to know what the trainees learned during training. The evaluation is done by specific criteria like a number of accidents, quality, productivity, performance, etc.