The Sandwell Adult and Family Learning (SAFL) directorate is funding online courses for employers in the borough to ensure a safe return to the workplace for their employees.

The online courses aim to help Sandwell businesses and employees manage the return to work and provide guidance on how businesses should operate after they reopen to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

As business environments differ greatly, the courses focus on three different work environments: hospitality, retail and office. They can be completed in one hour and candidates receive an e-certificate from the awarding body Highfields.

The courses aim to help the returning workforces of the specified businesses to gain an understanding of safe practice in relation to COVID-19 in the workplace. It aims to support employers to instil confidence in their employees and help them to settle back into the workplace.

The office workplace module covers:

• Coronavirus
• Risk assessment – handwashing, surfaces, seating arrangements
• Getting to work – travelling there and moving round the premises
• Common areas
• Working and meeting with customers, colleagues and visitors
• Cleaning – before, during and at the end of the working day
• Face and body coverings
• Deliveries
• Accidents and incidents
• Raising concerns.

The retail and hospitality modules contain additional content specific to each working environment, including:

• Working with customers
• Handling goods
• Fitting rooms (retail only)
• Handling money
• POS
• Managing queues (inside and outside the premises).

Learners can download a certificate of completion and organisations will have the option to download and display an organisational certificate.

The training courses can be offered by businesses to employees either before returning to work or once they are back at work. The idea is to offer customers peace of mind that businesses are creating the safest possible environment.

For more information or to book your place on a course visit https://mailchi.mp/highfield.co.uk/covid-secure-e-learning-courses-now-available?e=e6c66c2b42.

The courses are on offer at no charge for a limited period as SAFL is covering the costs. So don’t delay in booking!