By Leah Murphy, Head of Training, EHS International
It is easy to assume that experienced employees need less training.
After all, they know the job.
They have solved problems.
They have developed practical skills over many years.
In many cases, they are the people others turn to for advice.
Yet experience alone does not guarantee continued competence.
In fact, some of the most valuable training an organisation can provide is for its most experienced people.
Experience Can Lead to Complacency
Confidence is an important part of working safely.
Complacency is something entirely different.
When people perform the same tasks every day, shortcuts can gradually develop.
Procedures may be adapted.
Small risks may become accepted simply because nothing has gone wrong previously.
Regular training provides an opportunity to challenge these habits and reinforce safe working practices.
Workplaces Continue to Change
No workplace stands still.
New legislation.
New technology.
New equipment.
New materials.
New processes.
Even employees with decades of experience need opportunities to understand these changes and how they affect the way work should be carried out.
Learning should continue throughout every career.
Experienced Employees Influence Others
New starters often learn as much from experienced colleagues as they do during formal training.
If experienced employees demonstrate excellent safety behaviours, those standards quickly become part of the workplace culture.
If poor habits are passed on, the opposite is equally true.
Keeping experienced employees up to date benefits the entire workforce.
Development Improves Engagement
Training is not simply about correcting problems.
It is also about helping people continue to grow professionally.
Providing opportunities for learning demonstrates that an organisation values its employees and is invested in their development.
This can improve morale, engagement and retention.
Competence Is Never Finished
Receiving a qualification is not the end of learning.
Competence develops through ongoing experience, supported by regular training, supervision and feedback.
The strongest organisations recognise that everyone has something new to learn, regardless of how long they have been doing the job.
How EHS International Can Help
EHS International delivers practical workplace training that supports employees at every stage of their careers, helping organisations maintain competence as workplaces continue to evolve.
Contact Leah
If you would like to review your organisation's training strategy or discuss refresher programmes, Leah would be delighted to help.
Leah Murphy
Head of Training, EHS International
Cork: 021 206 6006 | Dublin: 01 905 8899
