Look Back and Think Forward: Key Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Next Training Plan

Summer has finally arrived, and even though support worker training may not be top of mind right now, this is the best time to start assessing staff needs and planning for the fall and winter.  Here are a few reflective questions to help you start thinking about your potential training needs:

• What do you, and other supervisors/team leaders, spend the greatest amount of time coaching support workers to do?
  
  
• What do your support workers tell you are their greatest challenges?
  
  
• What feedback are you getting from clients related to performance?
  
  
• What are the three most challenging characteristics of your client base?
  
  
• What areas make you worry about risk?

 

• What are the things you spend a lot of time training one-on-one that might better be covered in a group session?

If you can, it’s a good idea to consult with other supervisors or managers in your organization to get a few different perspectives. You might also consider starting a training needs log so you can jot down notes on the questions above throughout the year. That way, you’ll be on top of potential training needs and be able to quickly identify trends – which is key to developing a training plan that is relevant and impactful!

Capacity Builders will work with you to design training that meets the unique needs of your support staff and supervisors.  Just drop us a line at info@capacitybuilders.ca.

Next Month: The Reality Check – Finding Common Ground Between Your Needs and Your PSWs’ Needs For Training