When it comes to a training program, it’s important to evaluate its effectiveness to ensure that it is achieving its intended results and having a positive impact on your forensic unit and your agency. Plus, evaluating your program will benefit you as the supervisor in the long run!
Evaluating a training program involves looking at several key factors:
1. What was the trainees’ reaction to the forensic training program?
The most obvious and common form of forensic training program evaluation involves asking the trainees for feedback. This involves examining factors such as the trainees’ level of engagement during the training, their satisfaction with the training program, and their overall impression of the program.
Feedback from trainees can be gathered through surveys, interviews, or focus groups. If you have more than one trainee in one go-around, we’ve found that anonymous surveys get the best results.
This information is essential because it can help improve the training program and make it more effective in the future. Ie.. helping you!
Get more insights from Erin!
2. What did the trainees learn from the forensic training Programs?
Another essential factor to consider when evaluating a forensic training program is assessing the trainee’s job performance during the training.
Assessing trainees through evaluations or job performance reviews helps determine if the training program meets its goals and provides the necessary skills and knowledge for effective job performance.
Also, if the trainee is well… trainable. If you know your program is good, then it’s easier to identify new hires who won’t fit in your unit.
3. What is the trainees’ post-training job behavior?
In addition to evaluating a trainee’s actual learning and job performance, assessing their post-training job behavior is important. This involves looking at how trainees apply the knowledge and skills they learned during the training program to their day-to-day work.
To achieve this, supervisors and colleagues can observe trainees’ job performance, conduct post-training evaluations to assess the program’s impact, and determine if trainees are effectively applying their new skills.
Consider it like a long-term quality score. Sally was making these mistakes. Six months after training, this is happening.
4. What is the result for your forensic unit and agency?
Finally, when evaluating training programs, it’s important to assess their impact on the forensic unit and agency as a whole.
This involves examining factors such as the forensic unit’s overall performance, the effectiveness of the agency’s forensic investigations, and the impact of the training program on the agency’s reputation and credibility.
Evaluating the impact of the forensic training program can determine if it contributes to the overall success of the forensic unit and agency.
In conclusion, evaluating forensic training programs involves looking at several key factors, including the trainee’s reaction to the training, the trainee’s actual learning and job performance, the trainee’s post-training job behavior, and the training program’s impact on the forensic unit and agency.
By evaluating these factors, it can be determined if the forensic training program is meeting its goals and having a positive impact on the forensic unit and agency.
Learn More about the Building a Training Program eCourse!
No matter the size, function, or resources of your Forensic Unit, our 8-step process for creating a training program is the same!
This process includes:
- Assessing your needs so you know where to focus your efforts
- Understanding the learning process for more impactful activities
- Setting up your modules in a logical order to increase retention
- ...and more!
Ready to join the discussion on Forensic Training Programs?
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PSSTTT… It’s Social Media Free!
What makes the Gap Science Family online community truly special is that we understand the stigma social media platforms create throughout your forensic career. Many prefer to stay off platforms like Facebook or Instagram altogether, so we’ve created a dedicated space where you can feel safe to interact and network with like-minded individuals without the hassle of social media.
How does it work? It’s free to join, but we have opted to make it a private space where our admin must approve all members so we can do our best to keep out the robots and spam.
Most of the spaces within the community are free to access, including forums where you can swap files, post job openings, advertise your forensic merch, announce upcoming training, and even share your wins! In the future, you may also see private spaces designated for students in our paid courses.
So join us inside the Gap Science Family online community powered by Circle, your all-in-one destination
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Gap Science Family online community! Just click the link to get started, and we’ll take care of the rest:
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FORENSIC-SPECIFIC TRAINING AND RESOURCES FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT ARE OFTEN LACKING (OR JUST PLAIN NON-EXISTENT!)
While forensic technician courses are widely available, they may not prepare you for new roles and responsibilities.
Generic leadership courses also may not address the unique challenges of a Forensic Unit. What if you could access forensic-specific training and resources to support your career growth?
Gap Science training courses and resources may be just what you’re looking for!
Ready to take the next steps in your supervisor training? Check out our Courses – Here!
Plus, learn more about the Forensic Training Program!
There’s More: New Taboo Topics episodes will be published at the beginning of every month! Currently, we’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Anchor.
