Training for companies: everything you need to know

2023-04-14

Training for companies: SEPRI offers certified face-to-face and online training.
We tailor training to your company’s needs.
Take a look at our Occupational Health and Safety training offer and fulfill your legal obligation to provide training for your employees.
Everything you need to know about training for companies is in this article.

Here you will find the answers to these questions:

What are my training obligations under the law?
What training should I give my employees?
How long should the training last?
Can I do online training?
Is the training certified?
How to choose a training company?

What does the law say about training for workers?

According to Portuguese legislation, all companies have an obligation to guarantee training for their employees, as laid down in the Labor Code.
Article 130 of this code states that “the employer must provide the worker with training appropriate to their qualification, with a view to the professional and personal development of the worker and the needs of the company”.

In addition, Law 102/2009, which establishes the legal framework for the promotion of safety and health at work, states that employers must ensure that their employees are trained in safety and health at work, as well as ensuring that workers are informed about the risks associated with their activities and the prevention and protection measures to be adopted.

In terms of specific obligations, Law 7/2009 establishes that employers with more than 10 employees must draw up and implement an annual training plan, which includes the identification of training needs, the objectives and syllabus of the courses to be held.

What training should I give my employees?

The choice of training to be offered to your employees depends on the specific needs of your company.
However, here are some areas of training that can be useful for many companies:

Safety and health at work: training in safety and health at work is essential to guarantee a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, helping to prevent accidents at work and occupational illnesses.
Within occupational safety and health there are various topics that can be covered according to the specific risks of each company, such as manual handling of loads, ergonomics in the office, forklifts and overhead cranes, etc.
First aid: first aid training is extremely important as it can save lives in emergency situations.
In addition, training can help reduce the number of accidents in the workplace and improve workers’ health and safety.
It is important that workers know how to act in emergency situations, how to provide first aid and how to call for specialist help if necessary.
Stress management: all workers have to deal with stress at work and knowing how to manage it so as not to lose productivity and motivation is a useful and timeless skill.
Offering employees training in mental health and well-being will always be valuable.
Employees in leadership positions, human resources and safety technicians can specifically benefit from training in Psychological First Aid.
Fire prevention and fighting: Decree-Law 34/2008, of February 26, establishes that buildings, establishments and premises must have self-protection measures against fire.
Among the self-protection measures, it is necessary for those responsible for the premises to provide adequate training for workers in order to guarantee their safety in the event of a fire.
Therefore, if the company is in a sector of activity where there is a risk of fire, it is highly recommended that workers receive training in fire prevention and firefighting.

How long should the training last?

According to the Labor Code, companies are obliged to provide their employees with a minimum of 40 hours of continuous training per year, under the terms of of Law no. 93/2019, of 04/09.

However, the number of hours of annual training may exceed 40 hours, in accordance with the provisions of collective bargaining agreements or company agreements.

The duration of each training can vary according to the type of training and the specific objectives.

Can I do online training?

Yes.
Article 131 of the Labor Code provides for the possibility of distance training, provided that the necessary technical and pedagogical conditions are met.
However, it is important to note that online training must be of the same quality and rigor as face-to-face training, as well as ensuring interaction between trainers and trainees.

SEPRI offers a variety of online and e-learning courses on the specialized SEPRI Training platform.
Only the courses that have a practical part, such as the first aid and firefighting courses, have to be taken in person.

Is the training certified?

The training you offer your employees must be certified and your employees must receive a certificate after completing the training, so that they can prove that they have acquired the necessary skills on that subject.
SEPRI is a DGERT-certified training provider and issues nationally recognized SIGO certificates.

How do I choose a training provider for my company?

Choosing the right training company can be a challenge, but there are some important considerations that can help you in this process.
Here are some tips for choosing the right training company for your needs:

Assess your training needs: Before choosing a training company, it’s important to assess the needs of your employees.
Consider what skills and abilities need to be developed in order to achieve your company’s objectives and, from there, identify the type of training required.

Check the company’s specialization: It’s important to choose a company that has experience in the area in which you need training.
Check whether the company offers specific courses for your area of expertise, as well as whether it has relevant certifications and recognitions.
It is important that it is a DGERT-certified training provider.

Check the company’s reputation: Search online to check the reputation of the training company.
Read reviews and testimonials from other clients and check that the company has a good reputation in the market.

Evaluate the support offered: A good training company should offer support throughout the course.
Check that the company offers technical support, answers questions, monitors students’ progress, etc.

Consider flexibility: Consider the company’s flexibility in terms of course times and location.
Check whether there are options for face-to-face, online or hybrid courses, and whether they are offered at times that suit your needs.

Check the prices: Finally, check the prices of the courses offered by the company and assess whether they are within your budget.
Remember that price should not be the only factor to consider, but rather the cost-benefit of the training offered.

Choosing the right training company can make all the difference to the development of your employees’ skills and competencies and, consequently, to the success of your company.
That’s why it’s important to invest time and effort in choosing the company that best suits your needs.