The arguments for online, opposed to face-to-face, include:

• Online ensures the consistency and quality of information and delivery,
• reduces time and training costs significantly,
• increases the frequency of training possible,
• allows for self-paced learning,
• and can produce better learning outcomes.

However, in the past, several online companies have “muddied the waters” by offering courses with assessments that were so easy to pass that the quality of knowledge and company the workers retained was highly questionable. Sadly, courses of this nature still exist.

As an important (and legal) requirement for personnel working on construction sites in Australia, the White Card (CPCCOH1001A) training is an important OH&S competency for minimising the risk of hazardous incidents – and not something we should take lightly.

Here are some criteria to assess an online training provider against, in order to feel comfortable that they produce appropriate competency in their staff:

1. Company is a registered training organisation
2. Course provides actual training - not just a list of questions that they can look up further information on, if they don’t know the answer, i.e. the trainee has to retain knowledge from the course, and then apply it later when answering the competency assessment.
3. Assessment requires 100% correct answers in order to pass.
4. Assessment provides randomised questions if the trainee has to attempt the assessment more than once.
5. Company follows the legislated requirement for ID verification (Stat Dec. Etc.).

One of Australia’s leading online courses White Card Online satisfies all the above criteria and more. They offer discount corporate bulk purchases and a tracking system for corporate accounts, making it easy for companies to monitor and record the status of all their employees or contractors.

For more information visit www.wcol.com.au