June 15, 2017

AET training and Toolbox Talks

Are you faced with the task of preparing a toolbox talk safety meeting? Dreading the experience, not knowing where to start or how? 

One of our courses at Carlton Training teaches you exactly how to tackle that problem. If you complete the Level 3 Award in Education and Training with us, you will have the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and conduct your toolbox talks effectively.

What are Toolbox Talks?

Toolbox talks are informal health and safety talks or meetings often part of an organisation’s general safety programme. 

These meetings typically occur at the job site before work commences or before the next work shift. Toolbox talks generally cover specific topics on safety aspects related to the job or location, such as workplace hazards and safe work practices on a construction site. These are very common in the construction industry and cover last-minute safety checks, reinforce peoples’ knowledge or exchange information with experienced team members.

Examples of safety toolbox talk topics are: 

• Working in confined spaces
• Electrical safety
• Fire safety (including the use of a fire extinguisher) 
• First aid 
• Forklift safety
• Working at heights
• Fall protection
• COVID-19 and PPE
• Blind spots

Toolbox talks are often called tailgate meetings or safety briefings and are essential for safety at work. These meetings are designed to prevent workplace incidents like trips and falls, injury and even death. 

Level 3 Award in Education and Toolbox Talks

So, as a basic teaching qualification, how can having an Award in Education Level 3 benefit you? There are several crossovers between the AET training and toolbox talks.

Microteaching 

One of the fundamental features of toolbox talks is their brevity, typically lasting around 10-15 minutes. This aligns well with the Award in Education and Training (AET) Level 3 course’s requirement of planning and teaching a 15-minute sample lesson, also known as microteaching. As part of the AET Level 3 course, you will gain the necessary knowledge to prepare for this type of session. Plus, your course tutor will guide you throughout the process, making it more manageable.

Structure 

Throughout your course, you will learn how to ensure your session has an appropriate structure. It should start with an introduction, lesson development, conclusion, and summary. Another important aspect is designing clear aims and objectives for the session, allowing you to choose a suitable variety of meeting topics, teaching methods and a range of resources so that the lesson you prepare is interesting and keeps your learners engaged.

Planning 

Preparing a high-quality micro-teaching session for AET Level 3 requires a well-designed lesson plan, as does a toolbox talk. Your course tutor will assist you in lesson planning before delivering your micro-teaching session. This will prove beneficial when arranging your toolbox talks – it aids in selecting the most effective teaching and assessment methods, timing each activity, ensuring the correct number of resources, tools, handouts, or instructions for your learners, and having a backup plan in case your original one doesn’t work out.

Active Participation 

Active learner participation is significant not only in your micro-teaching session during AET training but also in toolbox talks. Learning by doing, rather than just listening, has long been recognised, which you’ll experience when delivering your micro session on our AET course, which can then be applied to your toolbox talks.

Assessment 

Our Level 3 Award in Education and Training course will teach you how to assess whether your group truly understands and learns the knowledge and skills you share. We’ll guide you on incorporating various assessment methods in your micro-teaching to ensure the information is truly absorbed.

This approach also covers another aspect of toolbox talks – the review or summary at the end of a session. Our AET Level 3 course will enable you to do this through quizzes or tests and through various modern assessment methods you’ll learn with us.

Reflection 

Another valuable ingredient of our Award in Education and Training Level 3 course is that after your micro session is delivered, you will have an opportunity to reflect on your teaching and share it with the rest of the group, which will help you improve your sessions and pass your course. What is more constructive feedback on your micro-teaching given by your tutor and peers? Discussing the strengths of your lesson delivery and areas for development will no doubt provide you with confidence in designing compelling toolbox talks.

Improve your Safety Toolbox Talk with Carlton Training

Ready to enhance your skills in conducting practical toolbox talks? Our Level 3 Award in Education and Training course at Carlton Training is the perfect opportunity. You’ll gain valuable insights into planning, structuring, and delivering impactful safety meetings. Don’t wait to improve your ability to keep your team safe and informed. Contact us today and make your toolbox talks more engaging and effective!

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