Many of today’s plants are facing a labor shortage issue as experienced technicians and operators are retiring and new employees require additional training to ensure consistent productivity. One way many plants are dealing with this issue is by re-evaluating their training programs to ensure they are meeting their current needs.
Computer-based learning, or eLearning, is dramatically improving employee training and productivity. It is estimated that more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies use some form of eLearning technology, while companies that use eLearning tools have a potential to boost productivity by 50%. Companies that offer best practice eLearning generate around 26% more revenue per employee.
Clearly, eLearning is the way to go. But how does that impact the world of O2 sensors, pH calibration, and electronic analyzers in your plant?
Emerson offers Rosemont Analytical online, self-paced training courses, featuring animated lessons, professional narration, 3D modeling, knowledge checks, and a final assessment to test your staff. These courses can be taken any time, from any internet-connected pc, laptop, or tablet. Even a smart phone can manage many eLearning courses. Courses can also be ‘paused’ allowing your users to return to the instruction without needing to start over again – a valuable tool if time is limited to view instructional materials.
Self-scoring courses allow a company to assign a number of I&E techs, sales reps, plant managers, and others, to take a required training course, and have the final scores for each person routed to your HR department for confirmation of course completion and score. A series of courses may be created for a particular job classification in your company – for example: pH Theory, Electronic Analyzers, pH Sensors, Conductivity Theory – allowing companies to create an ‘online university’ of course material and track each employee and their career goals.
And this increase in training actually comes at a lower cost – no more scheduling employees for training that eats into working hours or brings your company to a halt; no more hiring expensive trainers, or flying trainers (or employees) long distances; no more hotel and meal bills. Plus, you realize cost savings from elimination of prep time for training (booking meeting rooms, printing handout materials, providing meals and coffee service).
Best of all – eLearning has the best record of retention of all training types. By allowing your employees to work at their own pace, and allowing lessons to be revisited prior to the final assessment, eLearning provides a better environment for any student. Many types of eLearning are meant to be accessed at any time – for example, tutorials showing how to use a 1056 Analyzer could include lessons showing how to run a sensor calibration. Your employees could at any time access this tutorial, for a refresher or to learn a new skill for their job. The tutorial functions like a hardware guru available 24/7 to everyone in your organization.
Online learning can help your plant improve employee productivity at all levels to ensure operational efficiency; address the looming labor shortage issue and increase production quality.