Do You Schedule Training Around Vacations?

Schedule training far in advance—at least for the next 6 months to a year. Choose the topics, trainers, and trainees. You can always make adjustments later. That way, employees can plan their vacations around critical training sessions. Also ask employees to put in vacation requests as early as possible.

Here’s a more detailed plan for scheduling training:

• Make a master schedule of all the training you want to conduct for the next 6 months to a year.
• Within your master schedule, set specific dates for each training session. Or, if you’re using online training or some other form of self-directed training like audio PowerPoint® sessions where employees can complete training individually, set specific dates by which training must be completed.
• Include makeup dates for trainees who cannot attend scheduled group sessions.
• Use a logical progression for multipart training. Make sure sessions aren’t so far apart that trainees forget the first training or too close together that trainees suffer information overload.

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You can also use self-paced training to alleviate vacation scheduling problems. You’ve got a range of self-paced options to choose from, including:

• Computer-based training on CD or DVD
• Online training
• DVD, video, or audio training
• Click and train PowerPoint presentations
• Complementary training booklets with any of the above

Self-paced training in any variety is a convenient, cost-effective way to provide training on many safety topics. Self-paced training is effective because trainees proceed at their own speed. It’s consistent because all trainees receive the same information in the same way. And it’s specific because trainees can move quickly through the information they’ve already mastered and spend more time on information that’s new to them. What’s more, trainees can set aside small blocks of time to complete a module at a time. By having the flexibility to choose when they train, they might be more receptive and learn more.

Be aware of a couple of drawbacks, however. Some employees lack the self-discipline needed to train on their own. Others might have trouble completing the program because of limited understanding of technology, poor reading skills, or limited English-language skills.

Another way to handle scheduling training sessions during vacation season is to plan for makeup sessions. When employees are out sick or on vacation and miss a training session, you can either hold a trainer-led makeup session if you have enough trainees to make that worthwhile, or you could videotape the session and let those who missed out watch it either individually or in a group when they get back.

Training must continue even during vacation season, so make sure you get it done by scheduling training far in advance, using self-paced training where possible, and scheduling makeup training in a cost-effective and time-efficient way.

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BLR’s OSHA Training System offers a completely prewritten, affordable program to handle machine guarding and dozens of other mandated training needs. Try it at no cost.

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Why It Matters

• With serious safety and health risks looming and OSHA training requirements breathing down your neck, you can’t afford hit-or-miss training.
• Effective, broad-based safety training that reaches every employee who needs it has to be scheduled.
• Scheduling doesn’t have to be a headache if you plan ahead and keep up to date to make sure safety training is being conducted on time and on target.

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