Principles of sound training

Employers should follow the Principles of Sound Training. The method of applying these principles will vary widely depending of the size of the firm, whether professional training and personnel staff are employed, and the type of training and development that is under consideration. The objective should be to make the principles work in a manner that suits the individual firm.

The Principles of Sound Training include:

• The ultimate responsibility for training and development within the firm rests with senior management. Training and development  of workers should be seen as a responsibility of every individual who is in a supervisory position.
• Training and development should be based on an assessment of the performance required of individuals and, in order to be cost-effective, should take account of the abilities they possess before they begin training.
• The training and development programme should be designed to enable the individual to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out work safely, to an agreed and measured level of performance.
• The performance of individuals during their training and development should be monitored, reviewed at intervals, recorded and any necessary action taken.
• Training and development policies, plans and programmes will need to be evaluated and reviewed and, if necessary, updated.
• Training and development should lead to a National Vocational Qualification/Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ) or credit towards one where possible.