Given a choice, most employees would rather hire trained employees than untrained ones. But no matter how skillful and qualified your employees are, they will soon be considered under-qualified because of the changing times. Not all companies offer training for their employees given the time and cost involved.
Employee training is, however, required by some states depending on their job functions. Some of these training is a prerequisite before employees can even occupy certain positions and perform specific functions. It would be ideal if you can afford to develop an in-house training program for your employees. If that is not possible, then you can partner with companies or organizations that have established their expertise in various training.
Check out which of these essential training courses will help improve the productivity of your employees and keep your company’s competitiveness in the global arena.
Essential Training Courses
- First Aid Training
A first aid course will not only reduce injuries and accidents in the workplace but it will also increase employee awareness on workplace safety. There are accredited organizations like Australia Wide First Aid that provide a one-day first aid course. This means upgrading the knowledge of your employees without sacrificing too much of their time in the office. The training includes the proper response to medical emergencies such as heart attacks, respiratory failure, and anaphylactic shock. Depending on the course you opt for, your employees will learn how to provide basic first aid, emergency life, and support as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Non-Discrimination and Anti-Retaliation
Many countries around the world prohibit discrimination based on age, sex, race, disability, or sexual orientation. Australia alone has at least four legislations that make discrimination unlawful. Non-discrimination training should be part of every company’s best practices list if only to make employees aware that the company will not tolerate discrimination in the workplace. Such training will also empower employees when it comes to reporting, investigating, and taking action against harassment and discrimination. Violation of ant-discrimination and harassment laws comes with a penalty and certain liabilities.
- Sexual Harassment
The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for a person to physically, verbally, or visually harass another person in a sexual way. It can include leering, sexual insults, emails and texts with sexual undertones, or a request for sex. Sexual harassment is common in the workplace but not all cases get reported to management. By providing your employees with such training, they get to understand the real nature of sexual harassment and prevent it from happening in the workplace.
- Safety Training
Employers are mandated to ensure the work and health safety (WHS) of their employees. They are not only required to monitor the health of employees but also to ensure that they provide safe workplaces for them. Even small businesses, which comprise over 95 percent of all businesses in Australia, are required to comply with WHS laws. Due diligence in complying with these laws include the duty to have their employees undergo WHS training. This applies not only to new hires but also to existing employees every year.
- Mental Health At Work
Employers should not only focus on the physical health of their employees but also on their mental health. Every workplace can be a source of physical, mental, and emotional stress for employees. Workplaces that provide a healthy environment will ultimately benefit in terms of better work attitude and increased productivity among their employees. You can equip your employees with a better grasp of how to achieve mental health in the workplace by letting them attend this course. This is usually just a half-day course that will help employees identify various factors on mental health including symptoms, coping mechanisms, and options for support.
- Customer Service Training
A company that wants to keep the goodwill of its customers would be better off with employees who are properly trained on customer service and in conflict resolution. Employees who value not only their own time but also that of their customers would be more effective in providing better customer service. This training is suitable for employers who work on the frontline as they will be able to understand their customers better and learn how to deal with disagreeable customers.
- Email Etiquette In The Workplace
Office communication is accomplished in real-time, thanks to the internet and the wonders of the electronic mail. But are your employees well-versed with the proper email etiquette? While speedy communication is ideal, it should always be appropriate. Employees should learn when to send a CC or courtesy copy as well as BCC or blind copy of workplace email messages. They also have to learn how to fill up the standard email information, including the subject of the email. The training will teach employees why they should avoid sending inappropriate emails that contain offensive messages, also known as flaming an email. It will also teach them the appropriateness of sending attachments and the benefits of programming an out-of-office message when sending emails.
- Conflict Management And Resolution
Employers would benefit from having workers that are knowledgeable in managing and resolving conflicts. By providing this training to your employees, you get people skilled in mediating whenever there is conflict in the company. Conflict can arise not only between employees, but it can also involve customers. Your workers will learn practical techniques and strategies to avoid, manage, and resolve conflict in the workplace.
- Fair Work Standard
The 2009 Fair Work Act governs workplaces in Australia. The law provides the standards that should be followed by all employees and employers, no matter what industries they belong to. It governs the general relations that should be followed to make workplaces productive and sustainable. By undergoing this training, you will have experts who will guide the company in complying with the terms and conditions, as well as the rights of both the employers and the employees. This training is ideal for supervisors and managerial employees who will set the minimum labor standards in the workplace.
- Orientation
The orientation is one of the most important in-house training that your employees should attend. This is usually conducted by the human resources department among new hires to orient and brief them on company policies, rules, and regulations. It includes the mission, vision and company values, leadership structure, employee benefits, and paperwork necessary for their employment.
Employee training should be part and parcel of every company if it wants its employees to be more productive and significant at all times. Education is a continuous process even in the workplace, and by investing in employee training programs, companies are also ensuring the continued existence and competitiveness of their businesses and organizations.
