The work organisation can build the capacity of workers to deal with work related issues by developing and implementing formal training policies and programs. However, unless these programs also include strategies to develop co-worker support for the training content and objectives, effective training transfer will fail to occur. To examine the implications of workplace differences on training transfer, a longitudinal research study of 200 volunteer participants is currently being conducted.

The Building Trades Group of Union’s (BTG U) drug and alcohol program is designed to enhance the capacity of building workers to deal with their own drug and alcohol issues and drug and alcohol issues in the workplace. As part of the program’s overall strategy to achieve this aim, a two hour training course is presented to all first year apprentices enrolled in trade courses relevant to the building industry. Apprentices enrolled in these courses can be divided into two main industry groups - commercial and housing. This provides a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between the workplace environment and effective training transfer. The workplace conditions, and the informal and formal controls regarding drug use, vary significantly between commercial and housing worksites.

It is expected that the formal and informal controls regarding drug use, evident in each individual’s workplace, will significantly influence whether effective training transfer occurs. In addition, it is expected that informal controls will be the most significant source of influence. This finding will have significant implications for the design and implementation of workforce development programs and policies. The research design, methodology and implications of the research program for workforce development are outlined here