Is lone worker training a waste of money for my company or just something that needs to be done?
This is an easy answer for me as being a product and service provider that includes a significant section in delivering of lone worker training. My answer to this is to simply say ‘next question please’.
When the dreaded word “recession” is used we all have different opinions and ideas of how it’s progressing or how it’s changing our approach to work and progress; however a large part of us will admit that when the belt is tight and the money is low, two things have a tendency to be shelved?
That’s right Marketing & Training and it can lead in some cases to be a problem for a company to develop, but on these subjects I can only comment on Training because my only knowledge of marketing is being bombarded at present with invites to social network events, where I sit with others being told that if you set up these systems it will not cost you a thing, but at times forget to mention that it takes time, effort and a lot attention to both develop and maintain these sites. However it can be beneficial if you persevere and learn to type and express yourself like on this blog we have created.
So why should we use training to develop ourselves and our staff? Well even us as a company still have to develop ourselves to be more efficient and professional in a competitive market.
Lately I have seen many tenders and requests for training, but what astonishes me more than anything is that a high degree of them do this by highlighting the % lean towards cost, for example a quote I read recently “this quotation will be reflected more by cost rather than delivery”, now me being a trainer for over twenty years in various roles, will let you know that training is like anything else in life “you get what you pay for”. If you are going to take the risk of employing a trainer or training organisation that will only deliver to the level of what you have paid, well sometimes the hassle you get from their poor delivery and complaints from staff is down to you in the end.
What I would suggest is simple techniques when employing a trainer or organisation to supply the delivery of good training. Start with the basics of reputation, experience and references but ensure you ask questions to confirm that they have actually done what they say they have done. Have they got insurance and not a cheap one from some website that only gives out the minimal cover, as in the long term if an accident did happen you might find the trainer has disappeared or is not as reliable as you first thought! Does the trainer have experience and can they deliver effectively? When I teach trainers I always point out that our learners now expect more and more, so being that old likeable person who can stand up front of a class and tell a few stories and crack a joke or two is not what people want, as what they do want is a professional service. Also ask yourself the question of has the trainer asked you enough questions about the training, have they taken the time to understand your requirements and spend the time to learn the issues needed to deliver a high standard of training?
Remember selecting a training provider is like employing a builder or mechanic, if you pick a cowboy they will run circles around you and leave you in a cloud of dust.
It is commented by both the private and public sectors that training is being shelved regularly or ignored, but when something happens and an incident or accident occurs, one of the primary questions is did the person receive training and by whom?
Training is never a waste of time, but it is if you select the wrong trainer and then they select the wrong form of training which also can then unfortunately look bad on the person who organised it.
For advice or guidance ask us as lone worker training is what we design, deliver and evaluate.
Blog by Will Holland