Bitesizes 3 and 4 make a distinction between Box 1 (ie must have) and Box 2 (ie improvement) training and different levels of evaluation.

We now need to look at how to put these two ideas together.

Box 1 training can be described as mandatory, compliance, risk management, or minimum standard training.

Put simply, we do it because we have to, there is little or no choice involved.

A perfect example of Box 1 training is training pilots to take off and land safely. If we did not do this training we can easily imagine what the consequences would be.

For this reason we do not have to justify the cost of this training. Its value is obvious and self-evident so we do not have to evaluate it at level 4.

So Box 1 training only requires validation.

This means we should: -

a. Check that the training is working.
b. Do it as efficiently as possible.

This is where you might wish to use the validation levels - 1 (reaction), 2 (learning) and
3 (transfer).

Level 1
How do the pilots feel about the way they are trained? Is it appropriate? Is the best method of training used?

Level 2
Do they know what checks they have to make before they take off? Have they passed the test?

Level 3
Do they make all the necessary checks when actually preparing to take off?

Once you have set your standards (e.g. pass mark on the test) and managed to bring all trainees up to the necessary standard you can then ask whether the training could be provided more cheaply (e.g. simulators, e-learning, books, manuals)

Always follow the general rule though that you only need to validate the smallest sample of training necessary to give you the level of confidence that you need to say it is working effectively.

Paul is happy to take questions and comments and can be contacted at:mailto:paulkearns@blueyonder.co.uk

Earlier articles in this series can be found at:
The Bitesize Business Partners Page