Imagine one of your volunteers arrives at the school early Monday morning to prepare for the school lunch program. As she moves a milk crate on the floor, a jet of liquid shoots out of an unmarked bottle and onto her face. Instant, searing pain grips her as the unknown, caustic liquid coats her eyes.
The chemical that splashed from the open bottle stored in the unmarked milk crate leaves an injury that permanently damages her eyesight, leaving her partially blind. Over the weekend, other ministries had used the school, which is part of the church, and “cleaned up” in a hurry, haphazardly throwing things into the closet. Recovery for this volunteer is slow, with many trips to the ophthalmologist.
An employee and volunteer training program could prevent these types of injuries. In this situation, proper chemical storage, securement, labeling, handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and use training are important training points ministry leaders should provide to those under their leadership. Even everyday agents we’re all accustomed to, such as the cleaner Comet, can cause serious injury.
The risk control staff at Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) frequently find training is a growth opportunity for organizations they visit. In this article, we will see how training programs save employers money, fulfill training requirements by state and federal agencies, improve employee satisfaction and retention, protect employees and volunteers, and are critical to Christ-centered ministries.
SAVES EMPLOYERS MONEY
Any type of training costs money. Investments in software or services, content specialist presenters, materials, and paid employee time for training all add up. However, the payoff is real. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) research shows that a good health and safety training program can save businesses $4–$6 for every $1 invested. (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2002).
FULFILLS TRAINING REQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCIES
Employee and volunteer training programs help your ministry meet state and federal requirements. State or Federal OSHA compliance, new employee, illness and injury prevention, commercial vehicle operation, harassment, and child protection training are a small sampling of required employee training. This training will better equip employees and volunteers for ministry and could—in the unfortunate event of a serious injury or death—prove helpful when investigators visit the property.
IMPROVES EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AND RETENTION
Prioritizing learning and development is good for your staff. Data reported in Harvard Business Review (Keswin, 2022) shows that a strong learning culture boosts an organization's productivity by 52% and the engagement and retention rates are 30–50% higher. Providing training right from the start has the greatest impact in these areas and sets the stage for a culture of quality and safety.
Training helps employees grow professionally, expand knowledge, and do their jobs safely. Professional development increases job satisfaction for 58% of employees, and 68% say the most important company policy is employee development and training. When training is properly done, 92% of employees say it has a positive effect on their engagement. What about employee retention? If employers invested in employee learning, 45% of employees say their tenure with the company would be longer (Flynn, 2023).
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CHRIST-CENTERED ORGANIZATIONS
Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Investing in the education and protection of those who work and volunteer in our ministries should be top priority. While Paul emphasizes our responsibility to care for others, I believe this admonition is applicable to the workplace. Training is an important and necessary method of valuing them.
Training reduces injuries and keeps people safer. A study reviewed the illness and injury prevention program effectiveness of eight states. OSHA found these programs decreased workplace injury incidences by 9% to more than 60% (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2012). That is valuing and taking care of God’s children.
TYPES OF TRAINING
While all the different training topics are too extensive to list, below is a small sample of employee training topics that may apply to your organization:
- Human Resources—Onboarding, organization policy and values, harassment, child protection, wage and hour law, injury and illness prevention plans, background screening, etc.
- Emergency—Evacuation procedures, CPR/first aid, AED training, what to do if someone is injured on your property or at your event, fire extinguisher training, aggressor/active shooter, lost persons, etc.
- Workplace Safety—Slips, trips and falls, ladder safety, lifting safety, chemical safety and storage, use of PPE, equipment training and safety, OSHA-compliant forklift operator training, etc.
- Food Service—Food handler certification, food safety, knife handling, equipment usage, cooking skills, etc.
- Activity Areas—Waterfront, archery, horses, climbing wall/rope course, crafts, etc.
- Specific training for volunteers who accept church ministry roles—Are they trained or “thrown into the fire”?
- Skills Training—Training intended to help employees and volunteers succeed in their positions or increase their knowledge base, i.e., continuing education.
CONCLUSION
Employee and volunteer training programs can be easy to overlook, put off, or undervalue. Our ministry leaders are busy. There is so much going on with staff, and volunteer time is stretched to the maximum. Training demands not only time resources, but also budgetary and leadership commitment.
Employee training saves money, fulfills training requirements by state and federal agencies, improves employee satisfaction and retention, and reduces illness and injury. Review your current employee training program and look for ways your organization can better equip employees and volunteers for ministry and keep them safer as well. An endless supply of resources and information about employee training is available. ARM provides insurance-related resources and training on our website and in person.
The command of Jesus to care for and minister to others isn’t only for those who are the target of our ministries. His command extends to those who serve in our organizations too.
References
- Flynn, J. (2023, March 9). 35 Key Employee Training and Development Statistics (2023): Data + Trends.
- Zippia. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from www. zippia.com/employer/employee-training-development-statistics?#
- Keswin, E. (2022, April 5). 3 Ways to Boost Retention Through Professional Development. Retrieved
- October 8, 2023, from www.hbr.org/2022/04/3-ways-to-boost-retention-through-professional-development
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2012, January 9). Injury and Illness Prevention Programs
- White Paper. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/OSHAwhite-paper-january2012sm.pdf
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2002). Q’s and A’s for Small Business Employers. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3163.pdf
