Designing a Training Program

Designing a training program involves a sequence of steps that can be grouped into five phases: conducting a needs assessment, defining training objectives, detailing program specifics, implementing the training and evaluating its effectiveness.

1. Needs assessment – conduct a site audit and determine if employees have and are following appropriate procedures. Make needed site improvements and write/modify procedures prior to launching a training program.

2. Instructional objectives – identify what training is needed to ensure procedures are being followed.

3. Details – determine how, who, where and when you will train. Consider the following areas: explaining the environmental impact of pellet loss, defining the role each individual plays in affecting change and ensuring knowledge of appropriate procedures.

• Use OCS to design and develop the training program and program content.
• Select the techniques used to facilitate learning (crew meetings, handouts, video, website, etc.).
• Select the appropriate setting for your meetings.
• Prepare materials.
• Identify and train the instructors
• Create department goals.

4. Implementation – Schedule classes, facilities, participants and instructors, deliver materials, conduct training.

5. Evaluation – Determine participant reaction to the training, how much they learned and to what degree the department goals were met. Re-evaluate all procedures to assess the effectiveness of the OCS program annually.