How to Design an Effective Workers Compensation Training Program

I have had many companies want me to let them use the training programs developed for other companies. There is a reason I do not loan or reuse training materials — it is NOT effective way to train. Each training program is designed based on each company’s specific needs. Often this is determined by a corporate-wide “needs assessment. When you are designing a training program for your company, make sure to do a needs assessment, then design the curriculum and then the training exercises. Validation of learning mastery is also important to ensure participants understand the curriculum.

A training program is designed according to what the “learners” will “do differently” after the training. Contrast a decentralized company with 20 workers’ comp claims coordinators with a training program designed for a centralized company with 1 risk manager and 3 return to work coordinators. These 3 return to work coordinators will do a very different job than the 20 workers’ comp claims coordinators. The later may be more hands-on thus the training program may be a workshop rather than class-room style training.

Curriculum is designed according to the needs of the “learners”. First, we determine what the particpants will “do differently” after the training. For example, will they need to contact an injured worker after the training, or will they need to monitor claims adjusters but make no contact with injured workers? The training needs of these two different participants is very different. Course content will be different. The exercises needed to teach these skills are different. So, the training programs are likely very different.

Your training program will be designed depending on a needs assessment of your company. Take this approach, and you will likely save your company a significant amount of money. Our average cost reduction is 20-50% reduction in loss costs based on year over year figures taken at point-in-time snapshots.

Try the WC Cost Calculator to show the REAL COST of work comp.
Look at WC 101 for the basics about workers comp.
Workers’ Comp Kit^® is a web-based online Assessment, Benchmarking and Cost Containment system for employers. It provides all the materials needed to reduce your costs significantly in 85% less time than if you designed a program from scratch.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.