Factoring COVID-19 into the complex, dynamic Onboarding process
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Furthermore, COVID-19 screening and testing needs to happen prior to arrival on-site. This means extensive testing stations need to be made available and the volumes carefully managed so as not to cause the virus to spread further. It does not stop there. Once screened and tested, should an individual test positive, they then need to isolate immediately. Replacement resources then need to start the Onboarding process again.
“We have received numerous requests from clients to assist them in setting up mobile clinics to administer testing or simply to provide nursing staff to be placed at their clinics or hospitals. There is also a great need for COVID-19 support staff to assist those employees who have tested positive,” reveals KBC Health & Safety Chief Operating Officer Sian Thurtell. KBC has been instrumental in providing these staffing options to assist some of its mining clients. From there ongoing monitoring and enforcement of the Disaster Management Act (DMA) regulations and protocols on-site are critical, to ensure that they are fully compliant and providing a safe working environment.
“It has been a huge learning curve for us, and each day still is,” adds Thurtell. “I must say our KBC partner group was really put to the test when the first regulations were rolled out in March 2020. We tackled the regulations as a team, and obtained legal advice as to how this affected us and how best to approach this new challenge.”
KBC Quality & Risk Partner Lesley Young was instrumental in quickly updating the operational policies and procedures so as to comply with the DMA. “The biggest challenge was experienced at our branches, where we have high volumes,” notes Thurtell. A 50% reduction in classroom sizes based on social-distancing measures had to be implemented, all while still managing client demands, which sometimes involved finding alternative training venues.
“This increased our cost base, but allowed for us to not let our clients down. Managing the safety of our employees and clients is paramount. We are constantly looking at ways to improve on our operational procedures to ensure we minimise exposure and not disrupt our business and that of our clients’ business operations,” stresses Thurtell.
When the initial hard lockdown came into effect, KBC immediately started adapting its existing digital tools. “We knew that it was going to be a challenge to house the same volumes as we did prior to the COVID-19 regulations, so we had to adapt fast,” reflects Thurtell. KBC has always offered computer-based training for some of its higher-level courses. However, it needed to be more creative around the delivery of courses, tackling potential computer literacy obstacles, and the fact that much of its target audience does not have access to Wi-Fi.
The KBC Innovation team adapted and converted a number of its facilitator-led training programs into eLearning courses, giving the client an option to complete the training online and then, for Safety Induction Courses, simply book a slot to visit a KBC branch to complete the assessment. This limits the time an individual needs to be on a KBC site, and staggers the number of individuals at a KBC branch on a given day.
Another tool used was to conduct virtual training via Microsoft Teams. Handouts were converted to interactive PDFs, and facilitators were equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to virtual facilitation, which allowed the client to sit at home and ‘tune in’ to the virtual classroom. “We are seeing an increased demand for this type of training,” points out Thurtell.
However, adding technology into such a mix can cause its own problems. “I completely agree. Online learning is not always the answer. We have had to take the approach to insist on classroom learning for the workforce level that requires face-to-face engagement with the facilitator to ensure that they grasp certain concepts and retain the knowledge they need to apply when on-site.
“It is crucial that we do not comprise the learner experience, and that we create an environment conducive to learning and knowledge retention,” elaborates Thurtell. The KBC facilitators themselves have had to undergo virtual ‘Train the Trainer’ workshops to properly equip them to conduct this type of training methodology with the appropriate online etiquette.”
While KBC’s training material is certainly industry-specific, not only does it get its content reviewed by legal advisors well-versed in either the Mine Health and Safety Act or the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it also customises its material alongside a subject matter expert. This is then reviewed by the clients in the respective industries. Here clients have an opportunity to provide input, which the KBC Innovation team then incorporates to ensure a well-designed training program that stimulates delegate engagement and learning.
Although typical Onboarding timelines differ from site to site, a recent Gap Analysis completed for a client identified that, with COVID-19 screening and testing, an additional 20 days was added to the Onboarding process. In this particular case, the client was struggling with the number of bookings, and there was a waiting list for individuals to undergo the necessary testing and screening.
As for a final encouragement to its clients during this unprecedented period, Thurtell concludes: “Lean on us during this time. We will always work around the clock to ensure that we can deliver solutions that best fit your needs. Together we will get through this. All businesses can focus on now is adapting to the ‘new normal’ and ensuring that the safety of our employees remains our first priority.”
Ends
Notes to the Editor
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About KBC Health & Safety
KBC Health & Safety is a subsidiary of the Workforce Holdings Limited. We have a national footprint. We train, on average, 120 000 learners every year. Quality is key! From our facilitators to our course material we are all about EXCELLENCE. Our technology-driven products position our clients to achieve a ‘No Harm’ culture. We customise our programmes and delivery for our clients’ target market.
KBC Health & Safety Contact
Lara Clarke
Marketing Specialist
Phone: 087 650 5577
Email: lara [at] kbpassport [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.kbcsa.co.za
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NGAGE Public Relations
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Email: nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
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