Continuous education is important for both employees and the employers who hire them. To ensure new hires are capable of performing their job duties, proper training systems and procedures need to be put in place. But while training programs can help employees learn new tasks and better understand the duties of their job, they often walk away with little to show for it.

Using certifications as part of your training process can help your employees prove their expertise and be more competitive. It also allows you to attract top talent willing to take on new challenges while also giving your employees the opportunity to expand their skills and learn.

But what’s the best way to include certifications in your training programs? Here are five key steps.

1. Determine guidelines.

Knowing which certifications are required for your training program is a great place to start. Once you’re aware of which programs you’d like new employees to complete, determine whether they should be able to study during work hours or if they will need to do it in their free time.

Consider what commitment that these programs require. You may want to allow employees to engage with required content while at work and study for extra certifications outside of work hours. Consider whether the course is available online or if they will need to be in the office to access the materials.

2. Create goals and due dates.

To help employees stay on track during their training program, help them create a study schedule with appropriate goals and due dates. This plan will tell them which part of the program they should complete in different timeframes.

Establishing a pace for employees can ensure they maximize the time they spend on training. While you may not want them to focus solely on studying for their first few weeks on the job, you also want them to be trained as quickly as possible. Establishing your expectations can ensure everyone is happy with the way things are moving.

3. Monitor progress.

While establishing due dates is important for staying on track, you’ll also want to ensure employees are successful during that time. As they move closer to achieving their certification or finishing their course, quiz scores or activities should show that they’re learning the material.

Depending on the platform you use for the courses, they may automatically send you updates on your employees’ progress. If not, develop a system that allows you to check in with your employees from time to time to make sure they are absorbing the information and to make changes if necessary.

4. Provide feedback.

As you monitor the progress your employees are making through their course, you’ll want to help them move in a stronger positive direction. Ensure they get the most from the program by including feedback on where they can improve and what they’re doing well and giving company-specific tips.

Encourage employees to ask questions as they come up. Make sure they know who they should go to if they have questions about the course material or if they run into any problems with the certification, especially if it is an online program.

5. Encourage participants to share information.

As your employees learn new practices, ask if they have any ideas on how this information could be implemented into your current processes or programs. Giving your employees a real-world opportunity to use the information they’ve learned can help them better understand their course materials and how they apply to real business settings.

It also allows your company to get more from each training program. Because each individual will have his or her own creative processes for understanding and applying the information, you can continuously hear fresh ideas on how to create a more successful business.

Using certifications in your training program can ensure each of your employees is well educated on the day-to-day duties of their job. As you continue to offer these programs to both new and current employees, they will remain competitive and look for new opportunities to expand their education.

Consider these five tips when adding certifications to your training programs. With the right systems in place, your training can run smoothly and efficiently, and employees will be able to easily transition into their new roles.