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 (pages 8 and 29-31) 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.
1. Use OCS to design and develop training program and program content.
2. Select the techniques used to facilitate learning (crew meetings, handouts, video, website, etc.).
3. Select the appropriate setting for your meetings.
4. Prepare materials.
5. Identify and train the instructors
6. 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.