Required and Recommended Training

Required training defined

Employees are Washington State government's most valuable asset. They warrant investment and support through training and development. Employee development builds an aligned, effective, and efficient workforce. We seek to equip public servants to provide the best service possible to the residents of our state.

Required training is, at a minimum, any training specified by Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Governor Executive Order, State Human Resources Directive, State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), or federal requirements for all or specific groups of employees of the state of Washington. An agency may require additional training for its employees in support of agency policies or procedures.

Non-agency public sector organizations & higher education institution employees, who do not already have a Washington State Learning Center license, must obtain one as a part of instructor led training or eLearning registration. Learn how to register on the non-agency public sector organizations & higher education institution employee webpage.

Below are current training requirements and solutions provided by DES Equity and Employee Development.

Required training for state employees participating in recruitment and hiring

Recognizing and Mitigating Bias in Hiring (initial)

Guidance: Executive Order 12-02, State HR Directive 20-02, Executive Order 24-04
Who: All employees who are participating in the hiring process
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: eLearning

Reducing Bias and Noise with a Competency-Based Approach (annual)

Guidance: Executive Order 24-04
Who: All employees who are participating in the hiring process, after completing "Recognizing and Mitigating Bias in Hiring" initial training
Frequency: Annually
Class Availability Class Dates

According to Executive Order 24-04, the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) must approve any training content developed by other agencies.

Required training for all employees

Customer service

Guidance: Executive Order 03-01
Who: All employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability Class Dates

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Guidance: Executive Order 22-02 and State HR directive 23-01
Who: All employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability Employees will be prompted to take the training when they are assigned to the training. Learn more about this training.

Information technology security training

Guidance: RCW 43.105.225 and OCIO Policy 141
Who: All employees
Frequency: Annual
Class Availability: Contact your agency training manager for training assignment

Privacy basics for Washington state agency employees

Guidance: RCW 43.105.225, OCIO Policy 141, and WaTech Privacy and Data Protection Policy
Who: All employees
Frequency: Within 30 days of employment and annual thereafter
Class Availability: Contact your agency training manager for training assignment

Quality management

Guidance: RCW 43.17.385
Who: All employees
Frequency: See RCW 43.17.385
Class Availability: Results WA is developing a statewide Performance Management Platform integrating continuous improvement (including Lean) and performance management. While this platform is developed, Results WA has requested that DES pause upcoming Lean classes. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out. www.results.wa.gov

Sexual harassment prevention

Guidance: WAC 357-34-100, WAC 357-34-115 and OFM DES Guidelines for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Who: All employees
Frequency: Within six months of appointment and then every five years
Class Availability: Class Dates or eLearning

Violence in the workplace

Guidance: Executive Order 96-05
Who: All employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Class Dates
or
Class Dates

Required training for supervisors and managers

Leadership development

Guidance: WAC 357-34-065, WAC 357-34-055, and WAC 357-34-070
Who: All supervisors and managers appointed to a permanent position within the last six months
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Class Dates

OFM HRMS basics

Guidance: RCW 43.41.113 and RCW 41.07.020
Who: All HRMS professional users
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: eLearning

Performance management

Guidance: WAC 357-58-385
Who: All WMS employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: eLearnings (both required): Performance Plans and Reviews and Resolving Performance Issues

Sexual harassment prevention for supervisors and managers

Guidance: WAC 357-34-105 and WAC 357-34-065
Who: All supervisors and managers
Frequency: Within six months of appointment and then every three years
Class Availability: Class Dates or eLearning

Required training for select Washington state employees

Bloodborne pathogens

Guidance: WAC 296-823-100
Who: All employees who have occupational exposure
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Agency determined and provided

Computer software piracy

Guidance: Executive Order 00-02
Who: All appropriate employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Agency determined and provided

Contract management for contract monitors and managers

Guidance: RCW 39.26.110
Who: All employees who do post award work only
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Multiple required classes accessible through the DES Procurement and Contract Training Website

Contract management for contract and procurement professionals

Guidance: RCW 39.26.110
Who: All employees who do pre-award and post-award work as a primary part of their job
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Multiple required classes accessible through the DES Procurement and Contract Training Website

New employee orientation

Guidance: WAC 200-600-015
Who: All new Employees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Agency determined and provided

Office safety

Guidance: WAC 296-800-14020
Who: All occupational safety and health employees
Frequency: Prior to their job assignment
Class Availability: Agency determined and provided

OFM HRMS basics

Guidance: RCW 43.41.113 and RCW 41.07.020
Who: All HRMS professional users
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: eLearning

Open public meetings and records management and retention training

Guidance: RCW 42.56, RCW 42.56.150, RCW 42.56.152, RCW 42.30, RCW 42.30.205, RCW 42.32 and RCW 40.14
Who: All records officers, members of governing bodies, elected local and statewide officials
Frequency: Every four years
Class Availability: WA-State Attorney General Open Public Meeting (online)
WA-State Attorney General Open Public Records (online)

Plain language writing and design

Guidance: Executive Order 23-02
Who: All appropriate employees based on their agency's policy
Frequency: Agency discretion
Class Availability: Class dates
Additional Resources: Visit the communications category for additional classes that support Plain Language

Recommended training for all state employees:

Essential ethics

Guidance: RCW 42.52.365
Who: All employees
Frequency: Once every three years
Class Availability: Class Dates and also available via eLearning

First aid

Guidance: U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Who: Determined by agency
Frequency: Agency discretion or whenever first aid or CPR certificate expires
Class Availability: Class Dates

 

Training Address

1500 Jefferson St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
MS: 41464

Contact Information

For staff: