If you’re tasked with getting a large team or workforce CPR certified, you have three options: in-person training, online training, or a blended hybrid program. All of these have benefits and drawbacks, so if you’re considering a corporate CPR training program for your team, here’s an overview of your options.
Types of Group CPR Training
Group CPR Certification in the Classroom
In-person CPR training has a number of benefits, including hands-on practice under the supervision of an instructor, with immediate feedback. Building connections and camaraderie with fellow students can also help with team building.
However, these in-person classes tend to be more difficult for full-time employees to fit around their schedule. They can also be more expensive for organizations, as in-person training comes with more overhead costs in terms of instructors, facilities, and learning materials.
Online Group CPR Training
Online CPR training for employees may involve videos, interactive and animated elements, quizzes and tests, and downloadable study materials.
Online programs can be a great option for corporate CPR training, because they allow students a lot of flexibility. Most online group CPR training programs allow students to complete the course at their own pace, which is why they tend to be popular with employees.
The cost can also be a boon for organizations, as online programs tend to be less expensive. Online programs may offer discounts for large organizations and teams, or charge you for only the employees who end up using the course.
One drawback of online group CPR training is that it can be a challenge to keep track of who has been certified if you’re managing a large team through a self-paced program. That’s why it’s important to work with a CPR training program that has experience handling large teams.
The best programs will offer a dashboard to streamline the process of managing and monitoring your team. Ideally, you’ll have tools and perks such as automated reminders, real-time updates when a team member passes the certification test, and a dedicated team member who will work with your billing department to make sure invoicing goes smoothly.
Hybrid learning programs
A hybrid group CPR certification course involves both in-person and online components. While some courses are fairly evenly divided between online and in-person formats, this is not always the case.
Some in-person classroom programs also include an online component for students to finish on their own time; and sometimes employees accept online CPR training for employees only with an in-person skills test. Both types of programs can be thought of as hybrid.
A hybrid program can be more flexible than an entirely classroom-based program, but students will still have to show up at appointed times for the in-person components. Often, a hybrid program is a more flexible compromise when an employer prefers an in-person program but the workforce is under pressure with challenging full-time schedules.
All three formats offer great benefits depending on the workforce and their needs. Consider your options, the needs of your workforce, and your organization’s budget, and discuss your concerns with the program before signing on. With some preliminary research, you should be able to pick the right program for any size group.