Upskilling your employees within internal training programmes is a cost-effective approach to expanding the capability of your organisation. It's also vital in the retention of staff who are keen to develop their skills and advance their careers.
However, even the most receptive employees require a training room that encourages focus and engagement. An inadequate workspace will have the valuable insights, techniques, and tools that are being shared falling on deaf ears.
In this article, we will share our insights into setting up training rooms that will help your training materials truly reach your captive audience.
Importance of effective training room layout
The layout of a training room is often forgotten as a key instrument in ensuring the engagement of your staff. An effective layout should not only make it easier to listen to the speaker but also should allow the audience to engage and ask questions too.
Training rooms offer far more than a place to sit and learn. They are places for productivity, collaboration, brainstorming, and innovation. Therefore, you’ll want to create the best environment possible for your attendees.
How to set up a training room for corporate learning
To set up your corporate training room in the most effective way possible, you need to consider a variety of factors. Below, we will explore these factors and why they matter so much when setting up a training room.
By following these tips, you can achieve greater focus, better engagement and collaboration, and comfort at your next training session.
Set your goals
You need to establish your training goals and what you want to get out of this training session. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the training can help participants to feel motivated and engaged.
It can also help you stay aligned with the type of skills or knowledge relevant to the organisation. Consider what you want the attendees to improve. This could be their existing skills, developing new ones, or even both.
Clear goals will enable you to structure your training effectively and create a valuable programme that could be used for years.
Establishing your goals will also identify the practical and logistical demands of your training room. These considerations will have a significant impact when choosing the most appropriate venue for your seminar or workshop.
Choose a suitable venue
Cramped meeting rooms will only make your attendees uncomfortable, which can impact their focus. This makes it essential to find a room that has the space for each attendee to establish their own workspace throughout the training.
Additionally, if arriving at your chosen training room is an inconvenience, your audience will be unlikely to arrive in a mood to learn.
Be sure to consider somewhere which has convenient and regular public transport connections. It’s also helpful if there’s a good amount of parking spaces for those who drive.
Furniture
Having enough seats for all attendees is the first thing to consider. You should ensure the chairs are comfortable to sit in. After all, it's difficult to focus if you're sitting in an uncomfortable chair.
A tidy workspace that’s prepared exclusively for the training is ideal. It gives the impression that greater consideration has gone into devising the training programme. This isn’t to say it has to be bland and empty, just that there’s little around to distract your attendees.
There are also logistical elements to consider. For example, if the training requires participants to be able to move around, clutter would make this more difficult.
Seating arrangements
Different room layouts benefit different types of corporate learning sessions. The ideal layout is accessible, comfortable, and fully equipped for your corporate learning needs.
We've compiled a few of the most popular options to help you decide on the most suitable room layout for your session.
● Classroom
In classroom-style training rooms, tables, and chairs are set up in rows, facing the speaker. This is the perfect seating arrangement for training with a lot of attendees.
● U-shaped
U-shaped rooms are best suited to training that requires a lot of discussion and collaboration. Plus, they still allow space for presentations in the middle. This type of room also provides plentiful desk space for working.
● Banquet/Pod
With a banquet arrangement, attendees sit in groups around large round tables. It is the perfect setting for any training where attendees must work in groups.
Temperature settings
If your attendees are too hot or cold, their ability to focus will likely suffer. After all, it’s hard to focus in a damp heat or when it’s too chilly.
Finding a training room that offers both central heating and air conditioning is another key consideration to ensure the comfort and concentration of your attendees.
Lighting and acoustics
Even the most attentive and well-intentioned audience will find it difficult to focus if they struggle to see and hear your instructor and their visual materials.
Consider things such as the availability of dimming lights for presentations and quality microphones and speakers. You should also check if measures are in place to minimise noise and echo.
Remove or obstruct any distractions
Distractions can spell disaster for your training if you don’t take a proactive approach to dealing with them.
To make sure the training is a success, it’s worth removing personal distractions, such as asking attendees to put their phones on silent. To avoid colleagues reaching out to attendees, consider informing them that those taking part in the training won’t be available to contact.
It’s also important to remember that a rumbling stomach can quickly become louder than the most captivating speaker. On-site catering and clearly defined breaks will keep your audience’s energy levels up and their minds engaged.
A final consideration would also be making sure that all attendees can clearly see the speaker, visual materials, and each other. Check to make sure any physical obstructions like unnecessary furniture and pillars aren’t obstructing the view of anyone.
Technology requirements for interactive and multimedia learning
If your training involves interactive and multimedia elements, it is a good idea to have technology available. For example, interactive whiteboards and projectors.
This technology can encourage interaction and collaboration among participants. It can also help visual learners to focus better on the presentation.
Adequate space and accessibility for all learners
Your training room should be accessible to all attendees. If required, ensure your training room is wheelchair accessible and that all amenities are available to all your attendees.
You might also need to consider further support for attendees with a hearing impairment, such as captioning.
The office beyond your training room
If your training requires attendees to split up into separate groups, consider the likes of breakout spaces. Many training rooms offer these separate breakout spaces, which allow attendees to collaborate in private.
Find the perfect training room with Regus
With there being so many considerations to make a success of your training seminars and workshops, it can be difficult to secure a training room that meets all your needs.
With Regus, guests can expect a friendly welcome from staff who will greet attendees as they arrive. We also cater to everything that goes into training, such as arranging working lunches and buffets, as well as providing communal facilities to use during the training session or day.
We are also able to facilitate your unique requirements and ensure your training room is set up and ready to go when you arrive.
With our helpful on-site staff available to you at all times, you can ensure you will always have the help you need to deliver your training without issue.
To discuss your requirements and find your ideal corporate training room, speak to one of our experts today.
