TRAIN: Helping the public health workforce do more with less

Public Health Foundation (PHF) is dedicated to achieving healthy communities through innovative research, training, and technical assistance. From conducting research to completing online courses, the computer is an important tool for learning in today's workplace environment. TRAIN is a unique web-based learning management solution for public health training, tracking, and reporting. Developed by PHF in 2003 in response to state requests for training that would efficiently prepare workers and track training for emergencies, TRAIN currently serves over ½ million learners with over 24,000 courses from over 4,000 course providers. Consistent, appropriate, and trackable training is key to ensuring that a workforce is prepared in case of emergency. This is particularly true for public health professionals, where practice, experience, and up-to-date knowledge are vital to successful planning, operations, and recovery efforts. However, with health departments and government agencies experiencing severe budget cuts in the face of economic uncertainty, traditional onsite training has become extremely costly.

TRAIN, the nation's premier learning management system for professionals who protect the public's health, provides a solution to these workforce development dilemmas. Analyses conducted by affiliate organizations have illustrated how TRAIN optimizes limited budgets and generates impressive returns on investment. In 2007, Kentucky conducted a return on investment analysis, determining over $3.5 million was saved by utilizing TRAIN. A 2008 analysis computed a $6.8 million return on investment. And in 2009, KY saved over $11 million by using TRAIN.

This session will discuss how TRAIN is utilized by local, state, and federal organizations to provide competency-based-training, learning information, resources, and training programs to a wide public health audience, ranging from nurses, to emergency personnel, to law enforcement. This presentation will highlight the transition from traditional education practice to online learning; the cost-savings for learners and their agencies; and the importance of sharing learning information and resources.