Workplace training is an important investment for any business, but knowing exactly what training your employees need isn’t always straightforward. There is no universal training package that will work for every organisation. The requirements of a construction company will naturally be different from those of an office-based business, while a warehouse, hospitality business or care provider will have its own specific risks, responsibilities and training needs.

With the growing availability of online training, businesses now have more flexibility when it comes to providing learning opportunities for their employees. However, with so many different courses available, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. The key is to look beyond simply asking, “What courses can we provide?” and instead consider, “What training does our business, our workforce and our individual roles actually require?”

Start with the risks

For health and safety training in particular, the starting point should always be the risks associated with the work being carried out.

Different workplaces present different hazards, and employees need to have the appropriate knowledge and skills to work safely. A business should therefore consider its existing risk assessments, working practices and the activities employees undertake when identifying its training requirements.

For example, employees who regularly work at height may require Working at Height training, while those who handle hazardous substances may benefit from COSHH Awareness training. Employees who carry out manual handling tasks may need appropriate Manual Handling training, while businesses with specific fire safety responsibilities may require Fire Marshal training.

The important point is that training should be relevant to the actual work being undertaken.

Online training can make it easier to provide this targeted learning because employees don’t necessarily all need to complete the same courses. Businesses can identify the requirements of different roles and provide employees with training that is appropriate to their responsibilities.

Different industries, different training requirements

One of the biggest mistakes businesses can make is assuming that workplace training is simply a matter of completing a standard selection of health and safety courses. In reality, the training needs of a business can vary significantly depending on its industry.

For construction and site-based businesses, for example, employees may encounter risks associated with working at height, hazardous substances, manual handling, machinery and other workplace activities. Courses available through the MHSC Online Training Portal include Working at Height, Asbestos Awareness, COSHH Awareness, Manual Handling and Abrasive Wheels, alongside other health and safety training.

For businesses operating in manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, training may similarly need to reflect the physical nature of the workplace. Manual handling, LOTO, COSHH and fire safety can all form part of a wider training programme, depending on the individual workplace and roles involved.

Office-based businesses may have different priorities. Although an office environment may appear relatively low risk compared with a construction site or manufacturing facility, employers still need to consider workplace health and safety, employee wellbeing and the development of their workforce.

Training in areas such as DSE Awareness, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Business Skills and workplace health and safety can all have a role to play.

Hospitality businesses have their own specific requirements, with employees potentially requiring training around areas such as food safety, workplace safety and licensing responsibilities. The MHSC portal includes Hospitality training alongside its wider range of online courses.

Health and social care organisations also have specific training requirements, with the portal providing courses within the Health & Social Care category. The important thing is not to choose training simply because it is available. The right courses are those that are relevant to the organisation, the employee and the work being carried out.

Don’t forget the individual employee

It is also worth remembering that training requirements aren’t necessarily the same for everyone within a business. Two employees working for the same organisation may have completely different responsibilities and therefore require different training. A member of the management team may need training focused on leadership, health and safety responsibilities or business skills, while an employee working directly with machinery or hazardous substances may require more specific operational training.

Someone who has responsibility for fire safety may need Fire Marshal training, while another employee may not require that particular course.

Taking this role-specific approach can make training more meaningful and potentially prevent businesses from spending time and money providing employees with courses that aren’t relevant to their work. It also helps create a more structured approach to workforce development.

Compliance isn’t the only reason to invest in training

When businesses think about workplace training, compliance is often the first thing that comes to mind. While meeting legal and organisational requirements is clearly important, effective training can provide benefits beyond compliance. Employees who understand the risks associated with their work are better placed to make informed decisions and follow safe working practices. Training can also help employees develop confidence in their roles and understand the expectations placed upon them.

Professional development can contribute to employee engagement too. Providing opportunities to learn new skills demonstrates that an organisation is prepared to invest in its workforce. This is why a good training programme shouldn’t simply be viewed as something a business has to do. It can become an important part of developing a knowledgeable, capable and confident workforce.

What about refresher training?

Training shouldn’t necessarily be considered a one-off exercise. Knowledge can fade, employees can change roles, working practices can evolve and new equipment or processes can introduce different risks. Businesses should therefore regularly review whether existing training remains appropriate. The frequency of refresher training will depend on the subject, the level of risk, the requirements of the business and any relevant guidance or organisational policies.

This is another area where online learning can provide flexibility. If employees need to refresh their knowledge, having access to online courses can make arranging that training more straightforward. Rather than waiting until training becomes an urgent issue, businesses can take a proactive approach and build training reviews into their wider health and safety and workforce development processes.

What if you’re not sure what training you need?

This is one of the most common challenges businesses face. You may know that your employees need training, but not be certain which courses are appropriate. Alternatively, you may have employees who have completed training in the past but aren’t sure whether it is still suitable or whether additional training is required.

This is where professional advice can be valuable. At Midlands Health & Safety Consultancy, training is part of a wider range of health and safety services provided to businesses. The aim isn’t simply to provide a list of courses, but to help organisations understand their responsibilities and put appropriate measures in place. The MHSC Online Training Portal brings together courses across a number of areas, including Health & Safety, Business Skills, Health & Social Care, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Hospitality and IOSH Approved e-learning.

The portal includes courses approved or recognised by a range of organisations depending on the individual course, including IIRSM, CPD, IATP, Gatehouse Awards, the Institute of Fire Engineers and the Institute of Hospitality.

For businesses considering IOSH courses, MHSC works in partnership with VideoTile Learning to provide this IOSH Approved Managing/Working Safely e-learning. It is important to check the individual course details and approval arrangements when selecting training.

Making training easier to manage

Once a business has identified the training it needs, the next challenge is often finding a practical way to deliver it. This is where online learning can be particularly useful.

The MHSC Online Training Portal allows employees to access courses online, providing greater flexibility around when and where learning takes place. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses with different shifts, multiple locations or employees who cannot easily be taken away from their normal duties for classroom-based training. Rather than trying to find a single date when everyone is available, online training can allow employees to complete relevant learning around their working commitments.

For employers, this can help reduce disruption while still supporting a structured approach to workforce training. And because the portal covers a wide range of subjects, businesses can potentially address several different training requirements through one platform.

The right training starts with the right questions

Before booking an online course, businesses should take a step back and consider a few fundamental questions.

• What work does the employee carry out?
• What risks are associated with their role?
• What training have they already completed?
• Has their role changed?
• Are there any new processes, equipment or responsibilities?
• Does the employee have a specific health and safety responsibility?
• Is refresher training required?

Answering these questions can help create a much clearer picture of the organisation’s training requirements.

There is no benefit in simply collecting certificates if the training doesn’t relate to the actual risks and responsibilities within the workplace. The objective should always be to provide relevant, useful training that supports employees and contributes to a safer and more effective organisation.

Explore the MHSC Online Training Portal

Choosing the right training doesn’t have to be complicated. By starting with your workplace risks, considering the responsibilities of individual employees and regularly reviewing your existing training, you can begin to build a programme that genuinely meets the needs of your business. The new MHSC Online Training Portal provides businesses with access to a growing range of online courses across health and safety, business skills, health and social care, mental health and wellbeing and hospitality.

Whether you’re looking for a single course for an employee or are reviewing training across your entire workforce, the portal provides a flexible way to explore your options. You may also be interested in reading our Why online training could be the smarter way to manage workplace training article.

Not sure where to start? Explore the MHSC Online Training Portal or contact the MHSC team to discuss your business’s training requirements.