Category Archives: Training Management

How to Create a Mission Statement For Your Training Department

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missioglobe

Do you have a mission statement for your training department? Well, you should. A mission statement serves the purpose of describing the beliefs and values of an organization and to help employees understand why the organization exists.

Training departments function to support the goals of the organization by enhancing job performance and identifying the required training needs of each employee. So why create a mission statement for your training department? There are many advantages to creating a mission statement including:

  • Improving the strategic alignment between the training department and the organization
  • Helping to prioritize the needs of both the organization and the training department.
  • The ability to quantify and assess the effectiveness of any training developed by the department.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Read your organization’s mission statement. The training department mission statement should align with that of your organization. Your alignment should also include reviewing the beliefs, values and priorities. Further questions should include: How does the training department fit into the big picture?
  • The next step will be working on the mission statement. In order to write an effective mission statement, here are some questions to ask: Why does your department exist? Who are you training?  and how will you evaluate the training?
  • Keep your mission statement short. An effective mission statement is generally 1-2 sentences that should contain action words and is quantifiable. The mission statement should answer the following questions, what do you do, and why do you do it?
  • Obtain input from other people including the stakeholders, other departments including HR and employees.
  • Revise your mission statement when necessary

Once completed, don’t forget to celebrate!

Do you currently have a training department mission statement? I would love to hear from you!

7 Steps to Organizing Your Training Records

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organize trainingDepending on the size of your organization, training records can grow out of control if not managed properly. There are many benefits to developing an effective training management system including, controlling the growth of records, improving efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering professionalism. In order to maintain an effective training records system, Here are a few steps to follow:
  1. Develop a plan. When you develop a plan, make sure you are able to answer the following questions.Why were the training records created? who will have access to them? What information will be discarded? Where will training records be kept? Other important questions when developing a plan may include how will records be maintained?  and Where will training records be kept?  Most non-profit organizations are heavily regulated therefore including a retrieval system as part of you plan will be the key to the success of  managing your system.
  2.   Arrangement. The system that you develop should be effective enough so that you are able to retrieve information quickly. Most organizations arrange records using an alphabetic system. Files can also be developed using a number of different systems including chronological, numerical and geographical.
  3. Inventory. This step will help you in weeding out any unnecessary paperwork.  Training departments often keep copies of test scores, attendance sheets, evaluations, need assessments, compliance trainings, and attendance records. Decide which records should be kept with your current files.
  4. Old Records. Now you can begin organizing your training records. This is a great time to also get rid of any extra clutter that you may have accumulated over the years.  Develop a system to retire old records and determine how long you would need to keep your most current records active. Generally 1 year should be enough however if you are heavily audited, compliance records may need go back a little further so you may want to keep more information on-site for additional years.
  5. Retention Plan. Now that you have developed a plan, know the type arrangement that you will be using, and you have created your inventory, The next step will be to develop a retention plan. This step should involve developing a timeline on keeping old records. This may vary according to your State and your organization’s policy. Here in the state of New York, the records are eligible for destruction after 7 years but this may also depend on the type of records that you have. Also, check with your organization on the procedure of discarding information. some organizations may shred documentation either on site or use a shredding company.
  6. Re-organize. Once you have completed developing a retention plan, you can now prepare and organize all documentation.
  7. Maintain. This will become easier once you have put a system into place. make sure that you file all material on a regular basis. find a time of day when you have the least interruptions. This may be the beginning of the day, the end of the day, or right after you have completed a training.
Do you have any additional suggestions on organizing your files?  I love to hear from you.

Storing Training Supplies

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heading.caddie

Ice-breakers, games and energizers are a great way to reinforce skills and to also provide immediate feedback. I am a true believer that the learning process should be fun and engaging. Organizing the tools that I use for games and activities on the other hand, has been quite challenging. I have made many attempts to find the best way to organize training supplies in a manner which would be easy to use. In the past, I have tried many different ways of organizing training materials including planning ahead by putting out enough supplies for the number of people expected. However, this did not always work especially when additional people would show up for the training.
basketI decided the best way to solve this problem was to find a storage bin that I would be able to prepare in advance and put away with ease. On a visit to a local teacher supply store, I came across these caddies. Right away I knew they would be perfect. I love that the caddies are available in an assortment of colors including green, orange, purple, blue and black.
Training supplies that I generally use on a regular basins includes pens, pencils and markers which fit nicely into the caddy.

pens1

pens2

 

markers1 I also include index cards and post-its as a way for people to write down any questions they may have or a way to engage people during a training activity.

indec cards

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 A few examples on  ways of using the caddies:
This caddies includes markers, scissors and post-its for a group depending on the size of the group, I may have baskets that are identical for a general exercise but if the activity is more of a creative exercise, the caddies may differ.
caddiesample This caddie includes pens, markers tape, rubber bands and index cards my goal is always to make the activity as much fun as possible.
I also like that the caddies are stackable which makes it easy to put away. It is also easy to transport if you conduct trainings at multi-sites
Where to Purchase
There are a number of places where these caddies can be found. I mentioned earlier that I was able to locate them at a teacher supply store and most places offer the option of purchasing online or in person.
School Outlet- 4 in a pack for $11.45
Lakeshore Learning- 6 piece for 29.99
Dollar Tree-24 minimum for $24.00 (a case)