19 April 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that companies have had to rapidly get up to speed with complex legal compliance requirements. An expert training service provider like KBC Health & Safety can offer total peace of mind to a company that they are fully compliant, allowing them to focus on their core business. In addition, when there is a need for specific accredited courses or skills programmes, companies definitely have to consult with a fully-accredited service provider.
“Given the competitive environment in which companies are operating, it does not make business sense for corporate clients to detract from their core business. This requires internal resources and external accreditations by relevant SETAs, when this could simply be outsourced. Like any business, if you bring in a specialist in that field you are bound to receive better quality service and innovative products,” comments KBC Health & Safety Chief Operating Officer Sian Thurtell.
COVID-19 has impacted external or outsourced training requirements in the sense that there is now an increased need to take training onto digital platforms to minimise the exposure risk for employees and contractors. For example, KBC adapted quickly by converting existing classroom training programs into computer-based training or e-learning, as well as providing the option for clients to conduct virtual training from their homes. For more technical training, including practical components, there is still however a need to conduct that particular training on-site.
“I do not think that COVID-19 has had a direct impact on clients choosing to rather go in-house. If anything, it has possibly encouraged clients to outsource training, as they may not have had the means to manage all of the regulations and protocols, so best to rather bring in a service provider whose core business is training and which already has all of these protocols in place,” elaborates Thurtell.
KBC is constantly updating its operational policies and procedures to comply with the Disaster Management Act to ensure compliance at a Head Office level and all Branches where there are a high volume of people attending training. Social-distancing measures immediately required the halving of classroom capacities, for example. However, training requirements were still met by finding alternative venues to ensure that clients were never let down. Managing the safety of KBC employees and clients is also a key driver to minimise exposure and not disrupt its business or that of its clients’ operations.
KBC is renowned for its customised client and industry-specific training. The company believes that training needs to be fit-for-purpose and add value to each and every delegate coming through its doors. KBC offers multiple client-specific training programmes that its instructional designers have developed alongside the client and subject matter experts.
“I strongly suggest that you do not compromise on quality and compliance. Speak to a service provider like KBC that can help you navigate the challenges and assist with multiple solutions to suit your training needs. We all want to achieve a safe workforce and minimise risk to our employees, and together we can make this a possibility,” concludes Thurtell.