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Training for the job: evaluation of a self-defence training programme for correctional officers

We investigated to what extent correctional officers were able to apply skills from their self-defence training in reality-based scenarios. Performance of nine self-defence skills were tested in different scenarios at three moments: before starting the self-defence training programme (Pre-test), halfway through (Post-test 1), and after (Post-test 2). Repeated measures analyses showed that performance on skills improved after the self-defence training. For each skill, however, there was a considerable number of correctional officers (range 4–73%) that showed insufficient performance on Post-test 2, indicating that after training they were not able to properly apply their skills in reality-based scenarios. Reality-based scenarios may be used to achieve fidelity in assessment of self-defence skills of correctional officers.Practitioner summary: Self-defence training for correctional officers must be representative for the work field. By including reality-based scenarios in assessment, this study determined that correctional officers were not able to properly apply their learned skills in realistic contexts. Reality-based scenarios seem fit to detect discrepancies between training and the work field. Abbreviations: DJI: Dutch National Agency for Correctional Insitutes; ICC: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient.

Inclusive aviation: uncovering staff training needs emerging from travel experiences of ‘Passengers with Reduced Mobility’ (PRMs).

Getting the Most of Management Training - the Role of Identical Elements for Training Transfer

Purpose - Focusing on management training, this study aimed to establish whether identical elements in a training program (i.e. aspects resembling participants' work situation) can improve training transfer and whether they do so beyond the contribution of two well-established predictors -- motivation to learn and expected utility. In an effort to establish mechanisms connecting identical elements with training transfer, we proposed and tested motivation to transfer as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected online from 595 general managers who participated in a management training program. Structural equations modeling was used to test the model. Findings - Identical elements, expected utility and motivation to learn each had a unique contribution to the prediction of training transfer. Whereas motivation to learn partly mediated these relationships, identical elements and expected utility also showed direct associations with training transfer. Research limitations/implications - Identical elements represent a relevant predictor of training transfer. In future research, a longitudinal analysis from different perspectives would be useful to better understand the process of training transfer. Practical implications - Participants may profit more from management training programs when the training better resembles participants' work situation. Organisations and trainers should therefore apply the concept of identical elements in their trainings, in order to increase its value and impact. Originality/value - This study contributes to the training literature by showing the relevance of identical elements for transfer, over and above established predictors.

Focus group research into relevance, symptoms and training needs

Dementia in people with severe or profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities

BACKGROUND: Differentiating dementia from baseline level of functioning is difficult among people with severe/profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities. Moreover, studies on observable dementia symptoms are scarce. This study examined (a) the relevance of dementia diagnosis, (b) observable symptoms and (c) training/information needs.METHODS: Four explorative focus groups were held with care professionals and family members who have experience with people with severe/profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities (≥40 years) and decline/dementia.RESULTS: Thematic analysis showed that participants wanted to know about a dementia diagnosis for a better understanding and to be able to make informed choices (question 1). Using a categorisation matrix, cognitive and behavioural changes were shown to be most prominent (question 2). Participants indicated that they needed enhanced training, more knowledge development and translation, and supportive organisational choices/policies (question 3).CONCLUSIONS: Timely identifying/diagnosing dementia allows for a timely response to changing needs. This requires a better understanding of symptoms.

De ontwikkeling van een training om Gezonde Schooladviseurs te stimuleren contextgericht te werken:

Gezonde School-adviseurs (GSA) van de GGD ondersteunen scholen bij het implementeren van de Gezonde School-aanpak. Omdat iedere school uniek is, is een contextgerichte manier van ondersteunen noodzakelijk. Om GSA’s bewust te maken van en aan te moedigen om te werken met zo’n contextgerichte aanpak is een training ontwikkeld. Wij beschrijven hoe deze training door middel van cocreatie tot stand is gekomen en reflecteren op dit proces. Het ontwikkelproces bestond uit drie fasen: 1) inventarisatie van taken en behoeften van GSA, 2) ontwikkeling van de training, en 3) een pilottest van de training. Alle fasen hebben plaatsgevonden in cocreatie tussen onderzoekers, GSA’s uit de praktijk en het landelijke programmateam Gezonde School. Evaluatie van de twee gehouden pilots laat zien dat de ontwikkelde training goed wordt ontvangen (algemeen rapportcijfer: respectievelijk 7,4 en 8,4). Een reflectie op het ontwikkelingsproces laat zien hoe groot het belang is van cocreatie gedurende het gehele proces. Hierdoor kon continu rekening worden gehouden met de dagelijkse praktijk van de GSA’s en hun wensen en behoeften. Ook kon er zo voor gezorgd worden dat de training goed aansluit bij het huidige landelijke deskundigheidsbevorderingsaanbod voor GSA’s en de Gezonde School-aanpak in het algemeen.