Need Environmental Training? Here’s Where to Start

Getting Started with Environmental Training

Figuring out how to train your staff on environmental regulations can be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking to overhaul your current approach or just need a quick refresher on document management, it’s hard to know where to begin. We understand the challenges, and at RMA, we’ve helped countless businesses navigate this process. 

Proper training isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes; it’s about empowering your team with the knowledge to make informed decisions. The right training ensures your staff feels confident, reduces the risk of environmental incidents, and sets the foundation for a more sustainable and compliant operation.

From compliance to sustainability, we’re here to make environmental training accessible and effective. If you’re unsure about your next steps, reach out to us for guidance—we’re happy to help.

What is Environmental Training?

Environmental training equips your staff with the knowledge they need to understand and meet environmental regulations. This training is often a regulatory requirement, ensuring your team complies with permits, plans, or approvals. Beyond compliance, it helps staff recognize environmental risks, avoid incidents, and adopt best practices. A well-trained team can reduce liability, improve operational efficiency, and even contribute to sustainability goals. It typically falls into three categories:

1. Compliance Training: This type of training is typically tied to meeting legal requirements based on permits, plans, or approvals. It covers essential topics such as SPCC plan training for oil spills or general stormwater permit training. These sessions ensure your team understands key regulatory requirements and how to implement them effectively, helping to avoid costly fines or penalties.

2. Beyond Compliance Training: For businesses looking to go beyond the bare minimum, this training focuses on things like sustainability initiatives or implementing environmental management systems. It’s a great way to align your company’s goals with environmental stewardship, building a reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking organization.

3. Focused Task-Based Training: Sometimes, your team needs training on specific tasks. Examples include learning how to collect a stormwater sample or label hazardous waste properly. This type of training provides detailed, hands-on guidance tailored to critical operational tasks.

If you think your team could benefit from training in any of these areas, contact us at RMA to explore your options. We can help identify the right training to meet your needs.

Environmental Training Options

So, you’ve decided your staff needs training—but what’s the best approach? It’s important to consider your specific needs, available resources, and the level of expertise required. Effective training not only ensures compliance with regulations but also boosts employee confidence and operational efficiency. Here are the main options:

Fully In-House Training

This approach lets you design and deliver the training yourself. While it’s budget-friendly, it requires in-depth knowledge of the topics and effective presentation skills. Training can take various forms, from informal one-on-one sessions to group presentations with a homemade PowerPoint or simple guides.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Flexible delivery tailored to your schedule and needs

Cons:

• Requires significant time and expertise to develop
• Risk of insufficient training that could lead to compliance issues
• Can be challenging to keep the training up-to-date with evolving regulations

If you’re considering in-house training but want to ensure it’s effective and comprehensive, we’re happy to review your plans or provide additional resources. Reach out for a consultation.

Expert-Developed Training

Professional training ensures your team receives accurate, relevant, and comprehensive content. At RMA, we offer two types of expert-developed training:

General Training

This type of training is designed for broad application, covering topics common across many industries, permits, or plans. Examples include our All-Industry SPCC Training Course, which provides essential guidance on spill prevention and control measures.

Pros:

• Affordable and cost-effective
• Ready to use immediately
• Developed by experts with years of experience

Cons:

• May not address specific needs unique to your business
• Limited to the format and content provided

Explore our general training offerings in our online library. These courses are perfect for businesses looking to quickly enhance their team’s foundational knowledge.

Custom Training

Custom environmental training is tailored specifically to your business. Whether you need compliance, sustainability, or task-based topics, we work closely with you to develop a program that fits your needs. Custom training often includes site-specific photos, videos, branding, and even terminology unique to your operations. To learn more about the process, check out this article on how we build custom environmental training!

Pros:

• Completely tailored to your requirements
• Flexible content and delivery methods
• Developed by experts who understand your industry

Cons:

• Higher cost (ranges from $1,000 to $50,000+)
• Longer development time (several weeks to months)

For more details on how custom training works, visit our custom training information page or contact us for a personalized consultation.

How is Custom Training Delivered?

At RMA, we offer flexible delivery methods for custom training:

1. Online Training: Designed for individual users, this format is accessible via computer, tablet, or phone. It often includes interactive features like quizzes and knowledge checks to ensure retention. Training can be hosted on our secure Learning Management System (LMS) or uploaded to your internal LMS.

2. Presentation for In-House Use: We create a polished presentation for your training manager to deliver to your team. Formats include PowerPoint, Google Slides, or pre-recorded video. These presentations can be reused and updated as needed.

3. Delivered by Us: In some cases, we can present the training directly to your team. This can be done via an online webinar or an in-person session at your facility. While this option isn’t our primary focus, it’s available for certain projects where direct interaction is beneficial.

Each delivery method is designed to meet your team’s needs, whether you prefer self-paced learning or instructor-led sessions. 

Next Steps: Which Environmental Training is Right for You?

Ultimately, the best training approach depends on your goals, budget, and resources. Each option has its own advantages and challenges. Whether you choose to handle training in-house, opt for a general course, or invest in custom training, the important thing is to ensure your team is well-equipped to manage environmental responsibilities.

If you’re ready to explore environmental training further, contact us at RMA. Check out our available online courses to get started today, or visit our custom training page for more information on tailored solutions. Let’s work together to create a safer, more sustainable future for your business.