Empty Rooms: Barriers to Attendance at Training Programs for Front Line Workers in Community Support Services Jillian Watkins, PhD Student, University of Toronto, Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation Raymond Applebaum, Executive Director, Peel Senior Link Funded by: Central West Performance Improvement through Learning & Development Initiative (formerly Central West Region Consolidated Learning & Development Committee)
Background There is little research which examines training programs for front line workers, both in terms of effectiveness and attendance. Research has demonstrated that training of front line workers is one of the key factors which predicts the retention rate of home care workers (Matthias and Benjamin, 2005) The Ontario Home Health Care Provider s Association s 1999 report Recruitment and Retention of the Home Care Sector Workforce listed training as an important strategy for retention of skilled home care workers.
There is no previous research which looks directly at front line workers attendance at training programs. This problem was identified as a research goal by Peel Senior Link, a community support service agency serving the Region of Peel, Ontario
Operational Definitions Front line worker: includes individuals employed in the field of community support services who offer nonprofessional services such as housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, dressing and feeding. Training: In regards to this research project training refers to ongoing continuing education and professional development. Examples of training programs include: The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMIS), stress reduction programs, palliative care programs, dementia care programs, safe lifting programs etc.
Objectives Two research questions: What are the barriers to attendance at training programs for front line workers in community support services? What are the areas that can be addressed which will lead to increased attendance at training programs?
Methods Data was collected in two phases: an online survey and a series of focus groups. Participants consisted of supervisors of front line workers in community support services. The vast majority of respondents were from member agencies of the OCSA.
Research was conducted in two phases: Phase I An online survey was distributed between September 19 and October 9, 2006 to all 360 member agencies of the Ontario Community Support Association via the OCSA listserv. The survey consisted of 22 close-ended questions including demographic questions, questions about they type and amount of training available to workers, and a Likert-type scale which asked respondents to rate their agreement with a series of statements related to barriers to attendance at training programs.
Phase II Three focus groups were conducted: Group #1 - Conducted in person in Mississauga, Ontario - 10 participants from GTA area Group # 2 - Conducted via teleconference - 7 participants from across Ontario Group #3 - Conducted via teleconference - 5 participants from across Ontario
Results Phase I The survey was completed by 154 respondents, a response rate of 43%. 97% agreed there is a need for work-related training for front line workers. 95% stated their agency either offers or makes available training for front line workers. 28% stated that 91 100% of their workers attended training in the last year. 75% stated that the training program was successful or very successful.
Top Three Statements Participants Identified as Explaining Low Attendance Rates 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 Have multiple jobs and cannot schedule in training Cannot afford to lose a day's pay to attend training as our agency cannot afford to pay them to attend Lac k of institution or agency re sourc e s to re plac e the workers while they attend training
Phase II After extensively reviewing the tape recordings of each focus group, eight major categories emerged: Government funding schedule Time of day Unable to backfill position No payment for attendance Lack of programs of interest Rural transportation problems Lack of childcare Multiple jobs
Discussion According to respondents, the most important barriers to attending training programs are system-level barriers which are not in the control of the front line workers. Examples of System-level barriers include: can t schedule in training due to multiple jobs; can t afford childcare to attend training; not paid to attend; can t find transportation because of rural area
Recommendations Based on the results of this research project the following recommendations are made: System Level increase funding to the community support services sector Agency Level provide flexibility in funding attached to training provide daycare while workers attend training explore more innovative ways of providing training
Acknowledgements Dr. A. Paul Williams, University of Toronto, Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation Ontario Community Support Association Survey respondents Focus group participants