Massachusetts has a set of unique requirements and available resources regarding employee training. Like most states, Massachusetts has seen dramatic change in the way employee training programs are developed and delivered over the past several years.
Some of the recent trends Massachusetts-based companies have seen in employee training include the following:
Online Training
With the rise of remote work and the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have turned to online training to provide their employees with the necessary skills and knowledge. Online training can be more flexible and cost-effective than in-person training.
Microlearning
Microlearning involves providing short bursts of training content, usually in the form of videos, podcasts, or articles. This approach is gaining popularity as it allows employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training
DEI training has become a top priority for many Massachusetts companies as they seek to create more inclusive and welcoming workplaces. This training focuses on topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competency, and allyship.
Soft Skills Training
Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are becoming increasingly important in the workplace. Many companies in Massachusetts are investing in soft skills training to help their employees develop these critical skills.
Gamification
Gamification involves using game-like elements to make training more engaging and interactive. This trend is gaining popularity as it can increase motivation and retention of training content.
Employee Training Requirements in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, there are several laws that employers must follow regarding employee training:
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Employers with six or more employees must provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees within one year of their start date. Supervisors and managers must receive additional training every two years.
Workplace Safety Training
Employers must provide training to employees on workplace safety, including training on specific hazards and the use of personal protective equipment.
Discrimination and Harassment Training
Employers with six or more employees must provide training to employees on discrimination and harassment prevention.
Wage and Hour Law Training
Employers must provide training to supervisors and managers on Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including minimum wage and overtime requirements.
Language Access Training
Employers must provide training to employees who interact with customers or clients in languages other than English on how to access language services.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the employee training laws in Massachusetts. Employers should consult with an employment law attorney to ensure they are in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
Employee Training Resources in Massachusetts
There are several resources available to Massachusetts companies to help with employee training:
Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS)
The DLS offers training resources on topics such as workplace safety and wage and hour laws.
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
The MCAD provides training resources on preventing discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC)
The MSBDC provides training and consulting services to small businesses on a variety of topics, including human resources and compliance.
Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund
The Workforce Training Fund provides grants to Massachusetts companies for employee training programs.
Massachusetts Association of Training and Development (MATD)
The MATD is a professional association that provides resources and networking opportunities for training and development professionals in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Community Colleges
Many community colleges in Massachusetts offer training programs for businesses on topics such as leadership, communication, and customer service.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes an embedded course authoring tool that enables most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for online coaching and social learning.
Together, the features make the LMS Portals platform the ideal solution for our Massachusetts-based clients and partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
Comments