Refresher training is an aspect of
retraining taken by a person already qualified or previously assessed as competent in a field with the intention of updating skills and/or knowledge to a changed
standard Standard may refer to:
Symbols
* Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs
* Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification
Norms, conventions or requirements
* Standard (metrology), an object ...
, or providing the opportunity to ensure that no important skills or knowledge have been lost due to lack of use. In industry it is also used to upgrade performance of personnel faced with workplace changes or who use obsolete, deprecated, or outdated work procedures, as a method for improving
productivity
Productivity is the efficiency of production of goods or services expressed by some measure. Measurements of productivity are often expressed as a ratio of an aggregate output to a single input or an aggregate input used in a production proce ...
, customer service, employee satisfaction and retention, and
workplace health and safety.
Fields of application
*
Airline pilots
*General
commerce
Commerce is the organized Complex system, system of activities, functions, procedures and institutions that directly or indirectly contribute to the smooth, unhindered large-scale exchange (distribution through Financial transaction, transactiona ...
and
industry
Industry may refer to:
Economics
* Industry (economics), a generally categorized branch of economic activity
* Industry (manufacturing), a specific branch of economic activity, typically in factories with machinery
* The wider industrial sector ...
*
Military reserve personnel
*Medical specialists
*Paramedic and first aid responders
*Rescue and emergency response personnel
*
Teacher
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.
''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
s
*
Underwater diving
Underwater diving, as a human activity, is the practice of descending below the water's surface to interact with the environment. It is also often referred to as diving (disambiguation), diving, an ambiguous term with several possible meani ...
**
Professional diving
Professional diving is underwater diving where the divers are paid for their work. Occupational diving has a similar meaning and applications. The diving procedures, procedures are often regulated by legislation and codes of practice as it is an ...
– First aid qualifications required for members of a professional diving team are generally valid for a limited period in the order of two or three years, and must be revalidated by a refresher course for the diver to remain "in date".
**
Recreational diving
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasur ...
– A
scuba refresher course is a voluntary training intervention which mainly targets the
autonomous diver, which is the certification level most likely to be associated with inactive recreational divers, and which includes the most basic knowledge and skills. The
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) course is called ReActivate, and
Scuba Schools International
Scuba Schools International (SSI) is a for-profit organization that teaches the skills involved in scuba diving and Free-diving, freediving, and supports dive businesses and resorts. SSI has over 3,500 authorized dealers, 35 regional centers, and ...
(SSI) offers a similar course named Scuba Skills Update.
They include a theory component which can be done on-line, and a practical skills component that can be done under the supervision of a
divemaster
A divemaster (DM) is a role that includes organising and leading recreational dives, particularly in a professional capacity, and is a qualification used in many parts of the world in recreational scuba diving for a diver who has supervisory respo ...
or
instructor, and starts with checkout of setting up the scuba equipment and water entry techniques, and continues with assessing critical skills like mask recovery and clearing, neutral buoyancy, ditching weights and ascent using an alternative air source. PADI suggest a refresher after six months inactivity, but the actual need depends on the previous experience and skill of the diver.
Training methods
In the simplest case, the candidate will demonstrate skills in a real or simulated exercise, and may be required to also pass a written or oral examination. Where standards have changed it is likely that there will be a formal or informal intervention to present the updated information, demonstrate updated procedures and learn the details of new equipment, and an opportunity to discuss and practice skills before assessment.
Need
A safety culture survey or audit may indicate that safe practices are not sufficiently implemented, and may indicate a need for specific or general refresher training, or the personnel may indicate that they feel a need for it. An accident or near miss often points to a deficiency in a safety program, as unsafe practices are more often the consequence of inadequate knowledge and understanding than intentional contraventions by employees, who generally prefer to avoid being injured.
Frequency
In some cases the frequency of refresher training is mandated by regulation or an expiry date on the certification. This is often the case for occupational safety related competences. These are often valid for periods of two or three years.
Common subjects in industry and commerce
*
Occupational safety and health
Occupational safety and health (OSH) or occupational health and safety (OHS) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work (i.e., while performing duties required by one's occupation). OSH is re ...
**
Occupational noise exposure
**
Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
**
Respiratory protection
**Exit routes, emergency action and fire prevention plans
**
Asbestos work
**
Bloodborne pathogens
**
Toxic materials
*
Workplace prejudice and harassment
*
Cyber-security
*
Customer service
Customer service is the assistance and advice provided by a company to those who buy or use its products or services, either in person or remotely. Customer service is often practiced in a way that reflects the strategies and values of a firm, and ...
*
Legal compliance
See also
*
*
*
*
References
{{Reflist, refs=
[{{cite web, url=https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/yearly-training-requirements-for-airline-pilots/ , title=Yearly Training Requirements for Pilots , website=www.flightdeckfriend.com , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=https://businessjargons.com/refresher-training.html , title=Refresher Training: Definition , publisher= , website=businessjargons.com , date=6 November 2015 , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=http://blog.clicksafety.com/complete-guide-to-osha-requirements-for-annual-refresher-training , title=Complete Guide to OSHA Requirements for Annual Refresher Training , publisher=ClickSafety Inc. , website=clicksafety.com , date=2017 , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web , title=Diving Regulations 2009 , work=Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 – Regulations and Notices – Government Notice R41 , url=http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/ohasa85o1993rangnr41716/ , publisher=Government Printer , location=Pretoria , via=Southern African Legal Information Institute , accessdate=3 November 2016 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104080007/http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/ohasa85o1993rangnr41716/ , archive-date=2016-11-04 , url-status=dead ]
[{{cite web, url=https://www.yourtrainingedge.com/the-need-for-employees-refresher-training/ , title=The Need for Employees Refresher Training , publisher= , website=www.yourtrainingedge.com , first=Pauline , last=Michael , date=19 June 2018, accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=https://study.com/articles/Refresher_Courses_for_First_Responders.html , title=Refresher Courses for First Responders , website=study.com , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=https://www.esafety.com/often-workplace-safety-training-refreshed/ , title=How Often Should Workplace Safety Training Be Refreshed? , date=14 April 2017 , publisher=Online Safety Training, OSHA , website=www.esafety.com , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/218665 , title=Refresher courses for teachers key to education outcomes , date=25 August 2017 , publisher=The New Times Rwanda , first=Pontian , last=Kabeera , website=www.newtimes.co.rw , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
[{{cite web, url=https://rushkult.com/eng/scubamagazine/scuba-refresher-course/ , title=When and Why Should You do a Scuba Refresher Course? , date=February 2018 , accessdate=7 October 2019 ]
Occupational safety and health
Training