How to Plan CPR Training Before Holiday PTO Begins
Holiday schedules can make a routine training task harder to coordinate. Between employee PTO, travel and year-end deadlines, finding a day when everyone is available takes planning.
November is a good time to review upcoming certification expirations, identify new hires who need training and choose options that fit your staffing needs. Here’s how to build a plan before holiday calendars fill up.
Start with November and December expirations
Review your team’s training records and identify employees whose certifications expire in November or December. Include the course, provider, expiration date and any requirements specific to their role.
Keep CPR/AED, First Aid, BLS, ACLS and PALS needs separate so employees are directed to the right class. Confirm the required certification with your organization before registering.
Set a completion target ahead of each employee’s expiration date. Leaving room for schedule changes makes it easier to respond if someone misses a planned session.
Add new hires to the plan
Upcoming renewals are only part of the picture. Check whether recent hires or employees moving into new roles need training, too.
If several employees need the same course, you may be able to train them together. If one new hire needs a class sooner, a local open enrollment class can help you address that need without waiting for a larger group.
Compare availability before choosing a date
Ask managers to review planned PTO, shift coverage and other commitments. Identify a few possible training dates, then check employee availability before finalizing your plans.
For teams working different shifts, discuss whether separate sessions would be a better fit. Give employees clear instructions about the date, location and any coursework they need to complete beforehand.
Choose onsite training for larger groups
Onsite training brings the instructor and equipment to your workplace, helping your team train together without traveling to a separate classroom.
Lifework Education offers onsite group training with an eight-student minimum. Classroom and blended options can help you build a plan around your team’s course needs and availability. Blended training combines online coursework with an in-person skills session.
When requesting a quote, share your headcount, location, required certification and preferred dates.
Use local classes for smaller teams
You don’t need to wait until you have a large group to schedule training. Local Lifework classes give individual employees and smaller teams another option.
You can also combine approaches: schedule an onsite class for the main group and use local classes for new hires, employees on PTO or anyone whose renewal is due sooner.
Include the November group training promo
Lifework’s November group training promotion can help you plan training for more employees:
- AHA training: Receive free training for one staff member for every nine staff members trained.
- ARC training: Receive free training for one staff member for every ten staff members trained.
The promotion runs through November, with training to be completed by year-end. Ask your Lifework training specialist to include the applicable offer in your quote and confirm scheduling availability.
Give your team a clear next step
Once your plan is set, send employees their registration details and training deadlines. After successful completion, update your records and add reminders for the next renewal cycle.
A little coordination now can help you manage renewals, onboard new employees and avoid a last-minute scramble during the holidays.