In distribution and construction supply operations, the yard is where real-time decisions, materials movement, and customer commitments collide. Yet when new technologies like ERP systems are introduced, yard employees are often the last to be trained—or the least considered.
That’s a missed opportunity. Not just for adoption, but for loyalty.
When you invest in upskilling your yard teams to use ERP systems effectively, you’re not just increasing efficiency—you’re sending a powerful message:
👉 “We believe in you. We want you to grow with us.”
Here’s how to upskill yard employees for ERP usage in a way that builds loyalty, trust, and long-term team strength.
- Start With Respect: Include Yard Teams Early in the Rollout
Why it builds loyalty:
When you loop yard employees into ERP planning, testing, or feedback early, you signal that their role matters in the bigger picture.
What to do:
Ask for input on how ERP workflows should reflect their real processes
Use yard-based scenarios when testing new modules
Invite yard leads to participate in pilot phases or demos
✅ Inclusion = investment. When people help shape a system, they take ownership of it.
- Train With Simplicity and Relevance
Why it builds loyalty:
Confusing, one-size-fits-all training sends the message: “This wasn’t built for you.”
Tailored, practical training says: “We want you to succeed.”
What to do:
Deliver hands-on, role-specific ERP training at the yard
Use visuals, checklists, and mobile-friendly tools
Focus on the 3–5 ERP tasks they’ll use daily (not the full system)
✅ Clear training that respects their time and reality builds confidence—and commitment.
- Pair Tech Training With Growth Opportunities
Why it builds loyalty:
Upskilling shouldn’t feel like a test—it should feel like a path forward.
What to do:
Show how mastering ERP opens doors to future roles (dispatcher, lead, inventory analyst)
Offer certifications or badges for ERP tasks
Recognize progress with shoutouts, bonuses, or added responsibilities
✅ Learning becomes less about software—and more about a career.
- Provide Ongoing Support—Not Just One-Time Training
Why it builds loyalty:
When employees feel thrown into new systems and left alone, trust drops fast. But when they know help is a tap away, they feel supported and valued.
What to do:
Place peer ERP champions in the yard
Create short “how-to” guides posted at workstations or accessible via QR codes
Make check-ins part of weekly huddles: “How’s the system working for you?”
✅ Support builds psychological safety, which drives retention.
- Celebrate Wins, Not Just Compliance
Why it builds loyalty:
Recognizing effort, not just results, reinforces the behavior you want—and shows employees their learning journey matters.
What to do:
Call out team members who logged their first trailer correctly or fixed a task in ERP
Highlight ERP milestones in team meetings (e.g., 100% dock assignments done digitally)
Use friendly competition (e.g., “ERP Rookie of the Month”)
✅ People stay where they feel seen, respected, and appreciated.
- Ask for Feedback—And Act on It
Why it builds loyalty:
Too often, yard employees are expected to adapt to ERP quirks without ever being asked: “Does this actually work for you?”
What to do:
Run monthly micro-surveys (“What’s confusing in the system this week?”)
Invite feedback in team huddles
Share what’s changing based on their input
✅ When employees shape how tech works, they feel empowered to stay and grow.
Final Thoughts
Upskilling your yard employees for ERP usage isn’t just about data accuracy or operational flow. It’s about building a culture of trust, investment, and upward mobility.
When yard teams feel like ERP isn’t something done to them, but something that helps them grow—they stay longer, perform better, and contribute more.
So don’t just train them. Believe in them. Back them. Build loyalty—one screen tap at a time.
