Why training is so important

One thing I noticed while working in regulatory compliance is that when everyone gets really busy, the first thing to suffer is training. I’ve heard from compliance officers “Oh, I’ve got all these jobs to do – I just don’t have time”, or “I’m having to do this in my own time because of my workload”.

And yet, every time we’ve talked to council compliance officers and asked them what they needed to help them carry out their work effectively, more training is one of the first things they ask for.

So why is training so important? Why should it be one of your top priorities? And how does training increase your effectiveness and save you time?

You are often our there on your own as a compliance officer, with lots of autonomy and discretion being exercised in the work you do. Training will equip you with the skills you need to make great judgement calls, which is more important than ever for our environment.

Someone I worked with said that training is “the foundation of building yourself into an awesome compliance officer”. It provides you with a better understanding of the information and skills you need to do your job. Even if you don’t remember everything from a training course, as you apply the training out in the field you gradually become more knowledgeable and skilled.

Training also means that you will have a better idea of what you don’t know and who you can ask for help. For example, if you go out on-site in response to a complaint about sediment discharge and find that a stream has been significantly affected, you will know from your training that you need to ask a freshwater expert for help.

So, as you do training relevant to your role, you will become more confident and effective, or as my colleague said, you will become an awesome compliance officer.

So where can you find the training you need? First check with your team leader or manager to see if there is any inhouse training. And if your Council doesn’t have a training programme, we are here to help!

Janet Whiteside – November 2023