Recruitment and retention resources

4. Training and retaining your recruits

Research demonstrates that intensive training leads to faster learning. More of what has been learned is retained between sessions and ringers maintain enthusiasm as they feel they are progressing.

These days new recruits expect ‘courses’ and a defined, structured way of learning to ring. This is comparable to other hobbies – such as music grades or karate belts. Intensive training needs to be both frequent and concentrated.

Plan for 10 to 15 hours of one-on-one training per new recruit. 

Throughout the phase of learning to handle the bell the ringer receives lots of individual attention. Once the ringer joins the normal weekly practice they will receive considerably less attention. The learning curve will plateau which may lead to a waning in interest and motivation.

Think about how you can provide targeted sessions and give your new ringers in as much rope time as possible to keep them progressing.