Customer Tip: Create a Basic Skills Test for New Users

Setting up new users on your key control system should involve more than just assigning them a login. It’s important to provide training and then test them on basic skills to ensure they use the system correctly and consistently. What should a basic skills assessment include? Keep reading to find out.

Why Skills Testing Matters

Skills verification is crucial for several reasons:

• Prevents costly user errors or incorrect habits that could compromise security
• Ensures consistent system usage across your organization
• Reduces time spent correcting mistakes
• Creates clear accountability standards
• Protects your investment in the KeyTrak system

Plus, people learn differently, and it’s often not enough to tell them how to use the system. Having users test out various features solidifies their knowledge and helps familiarize them with your company’s procedures, such as selecting a certain checkout reason when removing a key. It also gives employees the opportunity to ask questions about any steps they’re unsure about.

Creating an Effective Basic Skills Test

When designing your basic skills testing process, focus on these three components:

1. Create a Core Competency Checklist

KeyTrak systems have comprehensive software that’s customizable for organizations of all sizes and industries. With so many features, how do you decide what to include in your skills test? Start by documenting tasks your new employees will need to know to perform their jobs:

• Basic login procedures
• Using the mobile app
• Key checkout process
• Key return process
• Emergency protocols
• System navigation (user queue, favorites, reports, etc.)
• Understanding access levels and restrictions

With this checklist, you’ll have a roadmap for the hands-on skills assessment. Assess new employees in a pass/fail setting until they can successfully complete all required operations.

2. Have Employees Sign an Acknowledgment Form

Create a document outlining policies such as password security and the proper checkout process, as well as consequences for violating these policies. Once employees have passed the basic skills test, have them sign this document and keep it on file in a personnel folder for reference.

3. Conduct Periodic Reviews

Skills testing shouldn't be a one-time event, so schedule routine refresher training sessions. To help you identify areas that need review, periodically conduct system audits and review user activity reports. This allows you to identify any inconsistencies or patterns of misuse to address during training.

Training is essential for onboarding users to your key control system, and a basic skills test helps reinforce employees’ knowledge while revealing any steps you need to review with them. By implementing these testing procedures, you'll create consistent, efficient, and secure key management protocols.