Downsizing also brings a tightening of purse strings and an unwillingness to pay for training costs when the results are often not seen on accounting sheets. Crtainly the ever increasing numbers of regulations, detail of those regulations, and training based performance requirements of those regulations makes it difficult to keep up with them and provide quality training. The trends in training methodologies today are the straightforward and timely presentation of needed information. Disappearing are week-long courses, travel time, and superfluous information. Training today must be in real time, come in smaller chunks, and be provided wherever the employee is.
Communication is the key.
You must talk with people and assess their specific issues and training needs. Above all else, be flexible. Given these trends, training solutions are only limited by ones' own creativity. The newsletter in particular does a great job of providing background information and informing employees, supervisors, and managers of the need for safety training as required under various regulations. E-mails on the other hand, come at least once a week announcing various classes and seminars sponsored by my office and are a constant reminder to employees to maintain their awareness.