From filling skill gaps within teams to helping individuals progress in their careers and providing a better service to customers, there are key benefits to developing training programmes for staff. 

Some skills, however, are essential learning for any staff member and can be applied in different circumstances for a positive effect on productivity, teamwork and the ability to work towards shared goals that will benefit the company as a whole. These are six training modules that should feature in every employee training programme. 

1. Time management

Our schedules are busier than ever before, and most workers will know the feeling of being overwhelmed with tasks and struggling to catch their breath with constant changes. Getting everything done to schedule (and to a high standard) is a skill that’s necessary for any business, but one that can be difficult to learn. Ignoring time management training can hinder your business in the long term since there are many benefits to this valuable skill. 

Time management training modules:

• helps businesses foster a strong culture of punctuality,which in turn enables better operations within the business
• helps individuals provide a better service to customers and clients
• allows for a better work-life balance, and
• improves productivity. 

Without the ability to stay on track and keep to deadlines, your business operations can go awry very quickly. 

2. Leadership

Leadership is important for any business, regardless of size or industry, as it’s the art of motivating people towards achieving common goals and targets. For any business, being able to communicate effectively with colleagues to convey different strategies, mentor staff and influence them, challenge colleagues and hold them accountable for their actions is key. 

Leadership training can teach them the necessary skills, whether you already have people in a senior role or people looking to progress who need to build up their skill set to meet new challenges and responsibilities. 

Without strong leadership, businesses could be at risk of disengaged staff, higher employee turnover, low productivity levels and dissatisfied customers, so it’s a worthwhile investment into your employee training programme. 

3. First aid knowledge

Hundreds of people are involved in workplace accidents every year, which is why first aid training is so important. But it’s also a legal requirement to have a certain degree of first aid care on-site to protect those working or visiting the site. Being able to stay safe when working and keep those around you safe is important to prevent accidents and injuries. 

There are different levels of first aid training courses depending on whether you’re operating a ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’ business, which determine how many team members should be qualified based on the number of employees the company has. An office or retail space, for example, may only need a minimum of one trained individual per 100 employees, while a higher-risk industry, such as engineering facilities or warehouses, will require at least one first aider per 50 members of staff. 

4. Communication

Communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, are something that an increasing number of businesses are seeking in their staff. It is vital for a productive workplace and a happier workforce since communication plays a central role in preventing biases and conflicts between employees and providing a better service to customers. 

With communication training, your team will be able to recognise different communication styles, which helps them build rapport and stronger relationships with others and appreciate how body language and tone of voice are key to effective communication. 

Training in communication methods and styles helps you to build a more efficient and productive team and helps you to develop a stronger workforce. 

5. Diversity 

Diversity and inclusion training looks at the ways in which individuals might hold outdated beliefs or biases and how they can counter those perspectives to work more effectively with people from all cultures, backgrounds, genders and abilities. 

Diversity training is essential to building cohesive teams and fostering a company culture that welcomes people from all walks of life and demographics. This form of training typically takes two forms: – awareness training that makes employees familiar with potential biases and prejudices, and skills-based training helps staff handle diversity in the workplace and communicate more effectively. 

6. Cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity is an important topic that all team members need to be educated on to keep your business’ data and client information safe from hackers. Whether you are implementing strong passwords to prevent unauthorised access to files and databases or identifying potential phishing scams, cybersecurity training should be a priority for all staff members. This will ensure employees have security measures in place to prevent or spot insider attacks. 

In our current climate, where remote working makes up such a large part of how businesses operate, having the knowledge to handle data safely on mobile devices, or knowing how to deal with lost or stolen devices, is critical to prevent habits or actions that will put the company at risk. 

Develop your list of employee training modules

Employee training programmes should be present in any business, and when they’re carefully considered, they can really help enhance your success and growth. Investing in staff training doesn’t just help your business build necessary skills within the team, but it can also help with employee retention rates, staff happiness and motivation. With these training modules, you’ll have a team of well-rounded employees who can contribute more effectively to your business goals.