'Box Tick Training' - The best way to waste your businesses money

Plenty of times I've found myself training an individual or a group of people who have absolutely no interest in being subjected to the training I was giving. More often than not, the reason they are putting themselves through this, is that they have to, as an obligation in order to 'tick' the correct boxes to keep themselves within their perceived health and safety guidelines at work.

We've all been guilty of 'heavy eyelid syndrome' while someone is flicking through what seems to be an endless PowerPoint presentation on a subject we have very little interest in. Asking ourselves what relevance some of the points being discussed have with the way we work or how work is conducted in our own business. And here lies the problem with the standard 'off the shelf' training that is on offer through many training organisations.

Although there are obviously certain criteria that has to be covered through every training course and there should always be clear learning outcomes and objectives on the specific subject being trained. It is vitally important to ensure that the training an employer is about to pay good money for, will be relevant and specific to their staff needs.

This has been highlighted by the HSE recently with regards to Manual Handling and workers exposure to MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorders) within the workplace: "Research has shown that general training in lifting techniques is an ineffective way of controlling the risks of manual handling in businesses. By getting help to change the way you work, you can reduce manual handling risks and avoid paying for ineffective or unnecessary training."

So how can businesses ensure that the training they are paying for is giving their employees the necessary information and skills they are needing to be safe at work?

Well the simple answer would be to conduct a bit more due diligence on their training providers before selecting the trainer or company that best fits your needs. Or, work with a training provider as well as your staff, consulting with workers, supervisors and potentially industry experts on what exactly the health and safety risks and requirements are. Find out exactly the training needs of the staff and if it should be generic or specific, if the training should to be conducted in a classroom or on site and find out exactly who needs this training and how soon it should be done.

By identifying the high risk tasks through supervision of specific jobs and consulting with workers and supervisors, employers and training providers can put together practical solutions and training that will minimise the risks or consequences of the hazards. Employees and workers will learn new skills which will benefit the business, work related accidents and illness will decrease and importantly; the staff will know that their employer values their health and safety. Which in turn, will generate a much more positive attitude within the workforce.

Health and Safety training shouldn't just be about ticking boxes to ensure that backsides are covered. It is about changing attitudes and behaviours from the boardroom and management level down to staff and back up again. Analysing working practices throughout the business, engaging management and involving workers and representatives and making better use of equipment supplied are all reasons for tailored and specific training that relates directly to your staff and business.

Having a good working relationship with your training provider is very important. They should understand your training needs and have the experience and expertise in the training you require. The delivery of the training is also vital when selecting your training provider; they should be knowledgable and qualified, but should also be able to engage your workforce so as to empower them with the new skills and information they are learning.