Start with training that prevents accidents
In a shop, godown or small factory, the first training is safety: using fire extinguishers, keeping exits clear, lifting loads correctly and, for machine operators, guards, emergency stops and switching off power before cleaning. Run a short session for everyone once a year and for each new joiner in the first week. Record it as a program valid for one year, so the next session falls due on its own.
POSH: the Internal Committee and awareness
Every workplace with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. Many family businesses cross 10 people without noticing, so count everyone on the payroll, relatives included. Form the committee, train its members, and run a short awareness session so all staff know how to raise a complaint. Record both as programs, so you can show they happened.
On-the-job training, recorded
Much of the learning in an SME happens beside a senior: a new billing clerk learns the software from the accountant, a helper learns a machine from the operator. Record it as a classroom program with hours, and mark it complete when the supervisor says the person can work alone. It costs nothing extra, shows who is trained on what, and helps when a key person is on leave.
Training the next generation
When a son or daughter joins the business, a plan helps: a few months in each function, such as purchase, sales, accounts and the factory floor, with a senior staff member as guide, and external courses on GST, finance or management where useful. Recording the plan keeps it on track, and staff see that the family member learned the business properly rather than arriving at the top.
How to set it up in ZeniaHR
- Set up a yearly safety program in Learning, flagged mandatory, and enrol everyone.
- Create POSH awareness and Internal Committee training programs, and enrol all staff and the committee members.
- Record on-the-job training as classroom programs with hours, and mark completion when the supervisor signs off.
- Add external courses for family members and key staff, such as GST or finance courses, as external programs.
- Check the compliance view for each program every quarter to see who needs a refresher.
Read more about learning and training in ZeniaHR.
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What training should a small business run first?
Fire and workplace safety for all staff, machine safety for operators, and POSH awareness. A workplace with 10 or more employees must also constitute an Internal Committee under the POSH Act, and its members need training. Other requirements depend on your industry and state.
Does a family business need a POSH committee?
Yes, once it has 10 or more employees: the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 requires every such workplace to constitute an Internal Committee. Count everyone on the payroll, relatives included, when you check the headcount, and train the committee members.
How can an SME track training without an HR team?
Record each training, whether a safety session, a POSH session or on-the-job learning, as a program with hours. Marking someone complete gives them a certificate number and, where a validity is set, an expiry date. The compliance view then lists who is due for a refresher.