Most on-the-job training fails not because the method is flawed, but because it is informal, inconsistent, and poorly governed. In this blog, Dr Richard Dune explains why unstructured shadowing and assumption-based learning create risk, particularly in regulated and safety-critical environments. He sets out what effective on-the-job training really looks like, showing how clear structure, observable standards, prepared trainers, and documented competence can turn hands-on learning into a reliable system that builds skills, reduces risk, and stands up to scrutiny.