Short on time? Try a mini-training session.

In today’s workplace, time is at a premium, and the old saying that “time is money” very much holds true.

Though employee training is an important component in maintaining a safe workplace, it can get pushed aside due to other business priorities.

One way to continue educating and informing your employees on important issues and topics is by conducting training in small doses — mini-training sessions.

These sessions, similar to toolbox talks commonly used in many workplaces, take about five to fifteen minutes to complete. They can be done in person at the start of your employees’ workday or remotely via a recorded presentation that can be accessed by the driver when convenient.

The sessions can cover either a brief topic or issue or a portion of a topic. For example, a specific workplace safety procedure or a common hazard employees may encounter could be covered during one of these sessions.

When preparing your mini-training session, consider using a couple different techniques to help convey your message. Use of multiple methods during the same training session reinforces your message.

Some examples of techniques that can be used in this time-sensitive training format include:

• Handouts covering the session’s main points,
• Question and answer sessions,
• Demonstration,
• Discussion,
• Video clips, and
• Drills or exercises that include class participation.

When conducting your session, make sure you:

• Speak clearly,
• Know your audience,
• Are enthusiastic about the material, and
• Start and end your session on time.

Key to remember: Mini-training sessions are an effective way to keep your safety message in front of your employees.