How to Choose the Right Health and Safety Training Course

Health and safety training

Managing health and safety in the workplace should be high on the list of senior management’s priorities. Get it right, and you will create a strong health and safety culture where everyone shares the vision, values, attitudes, and behaviours which demonstrate their commitment.

To build that culture, all employees need to be encouraged to take an active role. But where do you start when it comes to creating that culture?

Training is key to preventing workplace accidents and illness, managing costs, and encouraging a positive workplace health and safety culture.

However, when it comes to selecting a health and safety training course or provider, it can get a little overwhelming. Here are a few points to consider which may help to steer you in the right direction.

What is the end goal?

Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is –what is it you hope to achieve by training your employees?

• Is it a case of fulfilling a legal requirement and ticking a box?
• Are you reskilling or upskilling your teams so that they are better able to undertake their roles?
• Seeking to improve employee retention as they will feel valued and can see further career opportunities?
• To improve the reputational perception of your organisation, enabling you to attract employees and customers?

Your training goals are the predetermined and measurable outcomes your employees are expected to achieve after completing a training program. Set these first, and then select the courses which will put you on the path to achieving that goal.
The role that the prospective candidates fill (or wish to fill) will help to dictate the level of the course needed. Generally, the larger their role in health and safety, the more in-depth the training ought to be.

Do you need accredited training?

A training course which is accredited by an organisation such as the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) means that the content of that course will meet the minimum requirements set down by that organisation. Accredited training courses also have the advantage of being widely recognised across all industry sectors.

Ligtas is a NEBOSH gold partner. NEBOSH is the world’s leading accreditation body for the health and safety industry. This means that Ligtas has excelled in the six learning excellence principles:
Naturally, when looking for a provider, Ligtas would recommend that you choose a Gold Learning Partner.

• Ensure learners understand what’s expected of them and what they can expect from their learning provider
• Create a learning environment that is engaging and encourages interaction that is appropriate for the course and type of delivery
• Provide accurate course materials and continually update and improve them
• Ensure tutors are qualified, knowledgeable, competent, and engaging
• Give learners feedback on their progress and provide appropriate support
• Review course delivery and learner feedback and action as necessary

What’s the training budget?

Time isn’t the only resource that needs to be allocated to training. Think about your return on investment and how big the pot is when deciding which courses are right for you. The cheapest isn’t always the best, so make sure that you consider all the pros and cons before making a final decision. While price will always be a factor, ensure you understand the value, cost, and ROI.

What materials are included in the price?

Always ask. You don’t want to find yourself with an additional bill.