What training should be given to employees?

No matter what a business does, staff training is essential. Through training, organisations can ensure all employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their roles effectively. Of course, staff training is not only about skills. Another vital area of training revolves around health and safety. After all, ensuring staff are safe in the working environment not only helps them, it also protects the business.

However, with so many types of training to consider, knowing which to prioritise can be tricky. In this article, we look at six types of training all businesses should provide to their staff.

Induction training

Before anything else, all new staff members should receive basic induction training. This is the most common type of employee education. It is designed to welcome new starters by introducing them to the business. Typically carried out by the HR team on an employee’s first day, this basic training will usually focus on the following:

• New starter paperwork (signing contracts, providing identification and next of kin information, etc.)
• An introduction to the business’ values, mission statement and culture
• Introductions to the team you will be working with, as well as relevant leadership teams
• General administrative tasks (receiving security passes, computer logins, email passwords, etc.)

Compliance training

Many businesses will also provide compliance training during a new starter’s first day. Sometimes built into induction training, this education provides vital information relating to the laws and regulations of specific jobs or industries. It should also complement the business’ culture and aim to explain what standards of conduct are expected from employees. Examples of topics covered as part of compliance training may include:

• Diversity training
• Anti-harassment training
• Any industry-specific compliance training (for regulated industries, such as banking, schools, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
• Cyber security training
• Basic workplace health and safety
• Workplace violence prevention
• Safeguarding

Health, safety and security training

Health, safety and security training may be built into an employee’s induction training. However, with so much to cover, different aspects of this education may be taught over a period of a few weeks. Additionally, refresher training may also be given to existing employees. These training sessions can sometimes be held in-house, but most businesses hire external experts to train their employees on the more niche areas.

Examples of health, safety and security training includes:

• Workplace ergonomics

This is training to prevent ergonomic workplace injuries such as eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Fire safety

This trains employees what to do in the event of a workplace fire. Additional fire marshal training may also be given to selected staff members.

• Equipment safety

This is training to teach employees how to safely use all pieces of equipment needed for their role.

• Environmental safety

This training relates to general workplace safety. For example, electrical safety, safe lifting, waste disposal, etc.

Technical training

Did you know, 58% of employees need to learn new skills to carry out their jobs effectively? This is where technical training comes in. This job-specific education teaches staff the skills they need to do their jobs to the required standard. It is often built into basic induction training. However, refresher training may also need to be provided to existing employees who could benefit from further instruction.

Technical training is also needed for existing employees when new techniques, methods or tools become commonplace in an industry. For example, web developers may need technical training on updated analytics tools.

This type of training is job-specific, but examples could include:

• Content writing training for copywriters
• Social media management training for digital marketers
• CMS-specific coding training for web developers

Team training

Team training is designed to encourage engagement and productivity within teams and departments. Typically, a less formal type of employee education, this training may take place over a longer period of time and can include the following:

• Teamwork training
• Team socials (a one-off activity after work, e.g. team bowling, a meal out together, or even just a trip to the pub)
• Corporate retreats

Product/service training

Although most important for sales staff, all employees should receive product/service training. It should cover what the business’ major products/services are, as well as their key selling points.

The purpose of this employee education is to ensure all staff members understand what the business provides. This helps to create a stronger culture in which all employees are working toward the same goal. Product/service education is usually an ongoing process. Rather than squeezing all relevant information into one session, learning can be delivered over a range of different training platforms. For example:

• Online courses
• Face-to-face classes
• Visits to production sites
• Shadowing employees that work in different departments

While few forms of employee training are legally required, they should not be neglected. After all, employees are usually one of a business’ largest financial investments. For this reason, it makes sense to spend the time and money required to nurture this investment through training programmes.