Investment in Training

Students should have a plan ahead of time on how they are going to bring specific and measurable things back. This may be a series of classes they instruct on a topic, building a curriculum that can be passed off, or maybe developing an ongoing plan for skill or knowledge retention. This could be incorporated into a “request for training” document that they fill out to be approved to attend.

An excellent opportunity is to send people to train-the-trainer courses where they can come back with a curriculum and teach a course. Then when you host a course charge a reasonable fee to outside agencies to offset associated costs. Look at the organizations around you and see where the gaps are, what classes are harder to obtain and seek those out. Look at your consistent trainers and have them specialize in unique areas that they are the subject matter expert.

Sponsoring a volunteer to attend a training conference is an excellent way to show them they are important to the organization and their service is valued. Take a look at the upcoming Washington State Training Conference in Yakima and see where your department can fill the gap.​