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.

Below are current training requirements and solutions provided by DES Workforce Support and Development.

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: Initial eLearning, or agency determined and provided

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

Required Training for supervisors and managers

Mitigating Implicit Bias in Hiring

Guidance: Executive Order 12-02 and State HR Directive 20-02
Who: All hiring supervisors, managers, and designees
Frequency: Once
Class Availability: Class Dates

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

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

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: Log into The Washington State Learning Center and search for "OFM HRMS Basics"

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)

Recommended Training for all state employees:

Ethics in State Government

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: