The Benefits of In-Person Health and Safety Training with a Teacher Compared to Online E-Courses

In today’s digital age, online e-courses have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient way for individuals and organisations to meet their training needs.

However, when it comes to health and safety training, face-to-face learning offers a deeper and more engaging way to learn.

In this article, we’ll look at the main advantages of face-to-face health and safety training and why it might be the best option for companies and learners.

In-person training sessions create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that fosters better understanding. Unlike online courses, where the interaction is often limited to videos, quizzes, or virtual chats, in-person training allows participants to engage directly with the trainer and with other learners. This engagement promotes learning, as delegates can ask questions, participate in discussions, share experiences and clarify doubts on the spot.

Through real-time demonstrations and practical exercises, participants gain hands-on experience that helps cement knowledge and skills more effectively than passive online learning,  ensuring learners are better equipped to apply their skills in real-world situations.

During a live training session, instructors can observe learners’ progress and offer immediate feedback. This allows for personalised instruction that caters to the specific needs of each learner. Where someone is struggling to grasp a particular concept or procedure, the instructor can adjust the training approach, provide additional explanations, or offer one-to-one assistance.

It is not possible to replicate this tailored approach in an online course, where learners often progress at their own pace without direct oversight.

One of the most significant advantages of in-person training is the opportunity for hands-on practice. Health and safety training often involves learning procedures that require physical demonstrations and practice, such as CPR, first aid, fire extinguisher use, or correct lifting techniques. In-person training allows learners to practise these skills under the supervision of an experienced instructor who can provide guidance and corrections as needed.

Online e-courses, while convenient, often suffer from one major drawback: distractions. It’s easy for learners to lose focus, especially when they are working from home or in an environment with numerous interruptions. Self-paced courses can also lead to procrastination or minimal engagement, as participants may rush through the content just to complete the course.

In contrast, in-person training sessions demand full attention. The structured environment minimises distractions and keeps delegates engaged throughout the session. The presence of a trainer encourages accountability, as delegates are more likely to stay focused and actively participate in the training.

In-person health and safety training often involves group exercises and team-based activities that foster collaboration and communication among participants. This team dynamic is especially valuable in workplace settings where safety is a collective responsibility. Working together during training helps build trust and cooperation among team members, leading to a more safety-conscious work culture.

Group exercises also provide an opportunity for participants to learn from each other’s experiences, share best practices, and collectively problem-solve. This level of collaboration is challenging to achieve in online e-courses, where interactions are limited and impersonal.

Health and safety protocols can vary greatly depending on the specific workplace environment, industry, and even geographical location. In-person training with a knowledgeable instructor allows for the customisation of the content to reflect the specific risks and regulations relevant to the participants’ context.

For instance, construction workers will face different hazards than office employees, and in-person training allows instructors to tailor their examples and focus areas accordingly. This ensures that the training is not only relevant but also practical, giving participants the specific tools and knowledge they need to stay safe in their unique work environments.

Research has shown that learners tend to retain more information when they actively participate in the learning process. In-person training, with its hands-on approach and direct interaction, enhances retention by making the learning experience more memorable. When participants can physically practise what they’ve learnt and receive real-time feedback, they are more likely to remember and apply that knowledge in their day-to-day work.

Additionally, the practical nature of in-person training reinforces the importance of health and safety procedures, ensuring that participants not only understand the theory but also know how to implement it in real-world situations. This is crucial in ensuring that training translates into safer behaviours and practices in the workplace.

Online courses may give you more options and make learning easier, but they can’t match the full experience of face-to-face health and safety training with a skilled teacher. Getting hands-on practice, engagement and feedback in real-life situations has a huge impact on making sure people really understand and can use the health and safety rules they learn. So, for companies and individuals who want to create a safer workplace, in-person training is still the gold standard in health and safety training.

For more information about effective and engaging training, view our courses here.