Employee training is not a one-size-fits-all deal. How you design your program depends on who, what, where, when, and how you’re training. 

Regardless of your initial approach and program, a single instance of training is probably not enough. Mastery of any subject requires time and repetition. For most learners, a one-time training session or program is only the first step to grasping a new topic. 

Continuing beyond that first step is a key aspect of keeping employees engaged and up-to-date. The best way to do that is by implementing refresher training. 

In this article, we cover what it is, why it’s important, and how to create your own refresher training program. 

What is refresher training? 

Training is essential for retaining strong employees. But we know training isn’t a one-time occurrence. Even with an effective employee training course, knowledge fades over time. After a while, it’s normal for anyone to forget particulars. 

That’s where refresher training comes in: an educational approach that involves revisiting concepts previously learned. Refresher training can be administered like other training courses, whether it’s in-person, blended, or online. Learners are able to review those concepts they tend to forget and learn updated information. 

There are plenty of reasons you might want to create a refresher training course. In addition to the benefits to learners, you’ll also see benefits as a course creator or employer, which we talk about more later on. 

Why is refresher training important?

Refresher training is a valuable tool for reinforcing learning and keeping skills up-to-date. Regular refresher courses help prevent knowledge decay and ensure employees retain critical, up-to-date information. 

Knowledge decay is a real issue when it comes to training. Forgetting is the enemy of memory, as psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered in the 1880s. Ebbinghaus pioneered landmark research in the field of retention and learning. In his experiments, he discovered that without any reinforcement or connections to prior knowledge, information is quickly forgotten—roughly 56 percent in one hour, 66 percent after a day, and 75 percent after six days.¹ 

Refresher training helps combat the effects of knowledge decay, ensuring that employees have the information they need to be successful.

Benefits of refresher training 

There are multiple benefits of refresher training. Trainers are more likely to retain employees, improve efficiencies, and foster a culture of learning. Let’s dive more into reasons why refresher training is a good idea.

Promote productivity, performance, and a culture of learning

A natural byproduct of offering refresher training is seeing better employees. Refresher training gives employees a chance to review protocol, practice concepts, and produce better work. 

The more we repeat a task, the easier the task becomes.² If you keep refresher training consistent, employees may enjoy that learning has become a part of their job. To make refresher classes part of everyday life in your workplace, make sure that training is accessible and available to everyone. Online courses on a reliable, trusted learning platform with a strong mobile interface can ensure that all can access and complete training courses. 

With a culture of learning in place, employees are likely to stay engaged and motivated. 

Stay compliant and secure 

Any employee who uses email for work is familiar with taking some sort of “phishing” training to keep accounts secure. Additionally, certain industries need to meet compliance requirements.

Refresher training is perfect for safety and security training. Employees who take a refresher training course will have the best safety practices reinforced, so they’re more likely to remember these important policies throughout the workday.

Keep employees up-to-date

Policies, tasks, and day-to-day operations change over time. Refresher training keeps employees updated, especially useful for industries where change occurs rapidly, such as in tech or research fields.

When everyone at your organization is keeping up with current processes, there will be less confusion and need for clarification as everyone is operating with the same set of information, leading to a more efficient and positive working environment.

Boost retention and find talent 

Investing in your employees means they’re more likely to stay with the company. Refresher training will make your employees feel like they’re cared for and that you value their development. 

In addition, look to other employees to host refresher training. Not only does this put the training in your employees’ hands, but it’s also a great way to find qualified candidates for management positions. Current managers can also boost their teaching and leading skills by leading a monthly training refresher for direct reports.

How to create a refresher training course 

Ready to create your own refresher course? Follow these four steps to get started.

1. Identify your training needs.

Revisit the learning objectives you first established for your training course. If you never set learning objectives, now is the time to outline them. Objectives are actionable steps learners take to progress through your course and achieve learning outcomes.

Once you’ve solidified your objectives, define your course audience. How much time has passed since learners first completed training? You may split your audience into different groups based on job functions, time since initial training, or other factors. (Using an LMS can make this process a lot smoother.)

Carefully choose your medium for delivering the course. Consider in-person, hybrid, and virtual training. A learning management system like LearnDash LMS can help you deliver courses effectively and efficiently. Look for an LMS with features that simplify microlearning and facilitate educational best practices.

2. Review and update training materials.

You don’t need to create an entirely new course from scratch. You just need to ensure your material is up to date as you put together your refresher training.

If the core content doesn’t need to be updated, update graphics and images. Look through reading materials and quizzes; ensure examples relate to recent news or cultural references. If your training uses scenario-based learning, write new scenarios yearly to keep learners engaged.

Avoid running an identical training program year after year. Your students will be more likely to check out mentally. You’ll also miss an opportunity to provide ongoing education and connect with your audience.

Bonus tip: Invite a special guest to bring a fresh perspective to the material. This keeps the content dynamic and provides a networking opportunity for you and your students.

3. Schedule the course.

Optimize the timing of your refresher course to help learners get the most out of the material at key times for your business. In general, avoid scheduling a course when employees are busy and less likely to retain information.

Here are some of the best times to schedule refresher training:

• During downtime (i.e., during the off-season if employees work on a seasonal schedule)
• Near compliance deadlines
• Before major business initiatives

You also need to decide how often to provide a refresher course. You could offer a yearly refresher for compliance reasons, or you could space out the refresher every few years. You can also make a refresher course available on demand for students eager to brush up on training materials.

4. Gather and evaluate feedback.

Once learners complete the refresher training course, close the loop by gathering feedback and measuring the effectiveness of your course.

At a minimum, ask learners to complete a post-training survey. Find out what they liked about the course and what could be improved. Use the feedback to refine your next course.

Using an LMS is an excellent way for instructional designers to gather feedback in addition to  delivering the course and uploading content. The best tools for instructional designers make training programs easier.

Implement an effective refresher training program with LearnDash 

Refresher training is the best way to keep knowledge flowing when delivering online courses or employee training programs. There are many benefits for you and learners, and getting started is fairly straightforward. 

By following these steps, you’re ready to create an engaging, effective refresher training course that will inform your employees, motivate them, and keep them safer. 

For additional tools and guidance, use LearnDash LMS to manage your courses. The intuitive LMS offers easy course building, streamlined assignment management, student-focused communication tools, and more, so refresher training is smooth and easy. Try the demo today!

References 

1. Murre, Jaap M. J., and Joeri Dros. “Replication and Analysis of Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve.” PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 7, 6 July 2015. 

2. Gardner, Benjamin, et al. “Making Health Habitual: The Psychology of ‘Habit-Formation’ and General Practice.” British Journal of General Practice, vol. 62, no. 605, Dec. 2012, pp. 664–66.