Research conducted amongst learning and development (L&D) professionals across the UK’s high-risk industries reveals a clear link between annual industry fatality rates and the training available to employees, with utilities found to be the best-performing sector.
The utility sector has the lowest number of fatalities of the high-risk industries that were studied and offers both the highest quantity and quality of training, according to a new report by Cloud Assess.
Utility firms were found to have the most employees go through training each year, with 65% of the workforce completing training annually. By contrast, the construction industry, which is statistically the most dangerous in the UK, has just 54% of its employees going through training every single year.
In addition, the utility sector was the most likely to offer a blend of both online and in-person training for maximum learning benefits. Meanwhile, the transport sector, the second most dangerous industry by fatality rate, was more likely to offer classroom-based training sessions away from the actual workplace (44%).
Cloud Assess’ data also found that utility firms were most likely to measure training based on changes in behaviour (63%) and time spent (38%), whereas transport firms were most likely to use compliance audits as their measure of success (47%). Not only this, but employers in the utility sector were most likely to insist that trainers and assessors also complete training themselves (100%).
Rob Bright, Founder of Cloud Assess, comments:
“Our research shows that providing effective workplace training to those in high-risk roles can be lifesaving, and the utility sector is a perfect example of this in practice.
“Whilst there is still some work to be done, it’s encouraging to see that utility firms which are prioritising consistent, high-quality training for all staff are succeeding in reducing the number of preventable incidents amongst their employees. We hope that these new insights will act as a catalyst that other high-risk industries need to reassess their approach to training to better protect their workforce.”
To benchmark your business against other firms, and find out how the utility sector compares to other deskless industries, read the full report: Fatal Negligence: Unveiling the Deadly Consequences of Inadequate Employee Training.
