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 Harrassment 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