Industry News | Industrial and Maintenance Training

The Importance of Welding Training

May 15th, 2012

With e-learning, quality welding training is just a click away. In today’s industrial arena the demand for skilled workers has become a rising issue. With online courseware you can obtain new industrial skill sets both quickly and effectively. So, why should you consider welding training? Simple, because any form of industrial training is an investment in yourself, whether it be for an individual worker or a company as a whole. And, if you do not take the time and effort to invest in yourself you could miss out on innovative opportunities, ultimately allowing someone else to take your place in the competitive manufacturing market place.

Welding training is particularly important because there are so many risks involved. Each year approximately 200,000 people are injured while welding on the job. To avoid the basic hazards of the field, technicians should take part in effective welding training. Some of the greatest dangers involved in welding include:

Radiation such as ultraviolet radiation, infrared rays and blue light.
Chemical hazards from gas, fumes and vapors.
Electrical dangers such as shock, shorted circuits or overload.
Burning cause by flying sparks, high temperatures and hot pieces.
Explosions and fire are a great risk due to flammable substances and gas in the work area.

These are just a few of the risks associated with welding, but with adequate welding training most of these can easily be prevented.

The benefits of e-learning are endless, some of the top reasons online learning is a great option are its ease of use, as well as the fact there is no downtime or travel time which often takes away from the work day and production. With online welding training the classroom is always open and courses can be taken any time as well as just about anywhere, all you need is a computer and a reliable internet connection. SCORM based industrial training allows both the trainees and the trainers to track the progress of completed modules to ensure your investment is worthwhile. ITC Learning offers comprehensive online welding training to assure your workforce is properly trained to perform efficiently and effectively while on the job. Contact us today to learn more.

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6 Steps to Help Create Change

May 11th, 2012

Raymond Floyd, the current vice president of Suncor Energy was featured as this year’s keynote speaker at Industry Week’s Best Plants Conference. During a time which is usually used to discuss industry related case studies or how a particular business is enhancing their lean practices, Floyd took another approach and instead discussed his six steps to help build a successful workforce dedicated to changing an organization for the better.

First, Floyd suggests you share your goals with your staff and specify how they can help contribute to achieving those goals. By creating shared goals and teaching your employees the skills necessary to achieve them, you’ll be well on your way.

Next, actually give your employees the opportunity to learn the skills needed to accomplish your goals. By offering industrial training to your plant workers you are showing them just how serious you are about making a change. Industrial skills training won’t only benefit your business either, by implementing industrial skills training you set your workforce up for a successful and well educated future.

The third step Floyd referenced was the importance of providing the resources your employees will need to learn those skills critical to attaining your set goals. If you want to change the way in which your employees work and your plant functions you must have the resources necessary. Whether those resources are money, time, engineering or industrial training it’s important to remember as a plant owner or manager you control what your staff has access to.

Next you must set limits. Defining boundaries is pertinent, they help your staff know what they are capable of themselves as well as what sort of limits your manufacturing equipment has. The idea is that your staff has all the information they need to help you attain your goals. With industrial skills training your workforce will have a better understanding of your plants capabilities.

The fifth step entails providing your staff with the framework necessary to meet your desired changes.

Finally, you’ll need to offer the exact process necessary to implement your changes. If this requires taking part in industrial skills training or having employees change positions you will need to be as clear as possible.

Ultimately, in order to make changes in any given plant environment and actually see results, owners and managers must make their goals clear and offer all resources and motivation necessary to achieve those goals. Manufacturing training is an excellent resource to expanding your staff’s knowledge and allows you to help them help you.

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Industrial Skills in High Demand

May 8th, 2012

As we have previously noted, the U.S. manufacturing industry seems to be making a steady climb to recovery following the recent recession. While the industrial sector has proven to show some growth through the use of manufacturing training, the manufacturing market is incredibly different than it was in the years past. Competition has changed the way in which businesses function, innovate and hire. Today’s consumers look for cars, appliances and other products that are built to last and that carry over little to none of the overhead costs into the product prices.

While competition among industry leaders is tense, efforts to hire the most qualified industrial workers that can manage new and more complex manufacturing processes as well as produce high quality goods has become a competition all in its own. Recent surveys estimate that almost 10 million manufacturing jobs could potentially come into the job market of over the next few years.

While the battle for the most qualified workforce is in full gear, the most sought after competencies have also changed. Korn/Ferry’s recent analysis of talent development in the manufacturing industry said the five skills that are in highest demand are as follows:

Drive for results
Decision quality
Integrity and trust
Customer focus
Ethics and values

The skills required to perform manufacturing jobs efficiently and effectively have evolved just as the industry has. Manufacturing managers and plant workers must be consumer focused and possess the ability to make educated decisions quickly.

So the question remains, do the skills that are in demand match up to the skills that are in supply? Looking at the recent growth in productivity and advances in innovation it would seem so, however the same Korn/Ferry analysis states the skills that are in the greatest supply include:

Ethics and values
Integrity and trust
Intellectual horsepower
Function/technical skills
Action-oriented

Comparing the two it seems there is a lack in skilled laborers that are focused on the consumers, who are results driven and who can make sound decisions. So, what can be done to harness these critical manufacturing skills in today’s industrial sector? Simple, develop them within your business. Manufacturing training has long been the ideal means for identifying and developing the industrial skill sets within your workforce. By implementing quality manufacturing training your business and employees will benefit from learning the skills that are in high demand and necessary to run a successful production line. Contact ITC Learning today to find out which industrial training program is right for you.

(Source: Korn/Ferry International)

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Manufacturing Activity Index Reaches 10 Month High

May 3rd, 2012

During the month of April, U.S. manufacturing rose at the fastest pace it has seen over the last 10 months. Hiring, production and the amount of new orders all increased in the past month. The boost in factories indicates a stronger economy than the recently released data had hinted at. The growth brings a sign of hope following last week’s report of slowed hiring in the early days of April.

A trade group of industrial purchasing managers known as the Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that the manufacturing index of activity rose to 54.8 last month. April’s index was the highest level reported since last June, and increased from 53.4 during the previous month. Any levels reported above 50 are considered to indicate expansion in the economy.

Clearly the report surpassed the expectations of many analysts. It also prompted investors to move money out of bonds and into stocks causing a boost in stock buying which ultimately helped the Dow Jones industrial average close at its highest in the past four years.

Now with a positive outlook on the months to come, hiring managers should consider industrial skills training and operations training as a hot commodity. With hiring and production on the rise, your production and maintenance staff should possess the proper skills to be an efficient problem solving workforce. With operations training your employees will receive the necessary training on the essential skills needed to ensure your equipment is operated and maintained effectively. In order to illustrate the ideal performance a plant operator must take three things into consideration at all times: safety, productivity and efficiency. These fundamentals are just part of the expanse of knowledge taught in operations training.

Ensure your plant equipment and employees operate to their full potential with operations training. Click here to learn more.

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The Importance of Industrial Skills Training

May 1st, 2012

The World Economic Forum and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. recently released a report which highlighted the two critical elements that could potentially threaten economic growth for manufacturers in the coming years. Those two factors include the lack of skilled manufacturers in today’s job market and the rising pressure for manufacturers to be innovative. The report states, approximately 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide have gone unfilled simply because the skills gap continues to grow.

Craig Giffi, the vice Chairman of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., said “In the race to future prosperity, nothing will matter more than talent.” This is perhaps the reason why industrial training is so pertinent to the future of manufacturing.

Manufacturers in economically developed countries have faced difficulties in filling job openings for highly skilled workers such as engineers, while businesses in still developing economies have had trouble filling basic skilled production jobs on plant floors. The report alluded to a 2011 Manpower survey that said nearly 34% of employers around the world have had a hard time filling jobs due to the talent shortage.

Those businesses that can rise up and overcome the shortage will remain global competitors, however many company’s wonder how they can do to stay a step ahead of the rest. The simple answer is through industrial skills training. Industrial skills training is a guaranteed way to not only enhance the performance of your current workforce but also boost employee morale and the potential of future employees.

According to the Deloitte report, many manufacturing business are collaborating with educators to help soften the future blow of the current talent shortage. Educators and manufacturers hope that by working together they can encourage interest in manufacturing among young scholars and ultimately boost the skill level in the industry.

Skills training is an effective program that can increase both production and your bottom line. ITC Learning offers industrial skills training in an array of areas. To find out more about how industrial skills training can benefit your business contact us today.

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The Next Generation of Manufacturing Training

April 27th, 2012

As the U.S. economy trudges up the hill to recovery, it is bound to hit a few bumps in the road. Recently the Department of Commerce reported that economic growth slowed in the first three months of the new year. Cutbacks in government spending as well as an increase in business investments offset the boost in consumer spending during the first quarter. These results show promise of continued growth, however the rise will be slow and steady.

From January to March of 2012 the economy grew at the annual rate 2.2 percent, compared to the 3 percent rise in the final quarter of 2012. However, the economy expanded only 1.7 percent for the entire year of 2011 and is expected to make a comeback of about 3 percent at the close of 2012 as increased hiring continues to encourage consumer spending.

Besides feeling the pressure of slowed growth, manufacturers will face another critical issue in the near future. That issue is the retirement of baby boomers. According to a poll done by the Society for Human Resource Management and AARP 19% of the 430 human resource professionals polled worked in the manufacturing business. And, 72% of all those polled admitted the upcoming retirement of baby boomers within the next 20 years is a serious problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. In preparation for this mass exodus many manufacturing managers have turned to industrial training. While some have still looked into perhaps hiring elderly workers as consultants, temp workers or even considered developing part time positions for the aging workforce, others have looked to their younger staff to step up to the plate. Part of that entails participating in manufacturing training.

Manufacturing training is critical to the success of any plant. Whether it is utilized to fill the gaps that baby boomers will eventually leave behind or simply to enhance performance of current workers from all generations, manufacturing training aims to increase production output and ultimately your bottom line. Contact ITC Learning to find out how our SCORM based industrial training courseware can help benefit your organization and your staff. Our online courseware is tailor specifically for your organization’s needs and ensures your workforce will receive quality industrial training in a variety of formats.

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Tips for Industrial Adult Learning

April 26th, 2012

In this day and age industrial training has come into high demand. As industrial factory owners and their managers begin to grow increased confidence in hiring and spending, manufacturing training has become all the more important. This week, the U.S. steel industry reported a slow recovery as the first quarter came to a close. While the industry is still battling the post-recession slump, some progression is evident in their reports of higher prices for products sold to auto makers and oil drillers as well as for heavy equipment and other general products sold. Additionally, in the wake of recovery, many plants in an array of industrial fields plan to expand their plants and open new factories.

With a positive outlook on hiring and expansion, the industrial training programs implemented for existing and new employees should be carefully considered. Ways in which new material is presented to adult learners is another important factor to take into account. Below are a few tips to assure your industrial training is properly received by your adult learners and in turn is effectively applied to their daily tasks on the plant floor.

If utilizing a traditional classroom training environment, be sure to create a constructive learning atmosphere. Make sure mutual respect, a proper two way communication flow and shared foresights are all present in the classroom so that your adult learners know the instructor is there to help advance their careers and enhance their industrial skill sets.
Your industrial training program should be tailored specifically for your adult learners. By doing so, they will understand the importance of the courseware and know that your company is there to benefit not only their bottom line but also their own production capabilities.
Offer self-directed learning, where instead of the instructor providing the solution to a problem directly, they encourage the adult learners to research and find it on their own. Another way to ensure this sort of learning is applied is through the use of SCORM based online courseware. With online industrial training adult learners are forced to essentially become their own instructors and search for solutions on their own.
Consistently provide constructive feedback. Whether you utilize online courseware, full motion video courseware or even traditional classroom instruction, routinely evaluating the progression of your adult learners will help identify what they are fully understanding and what needs to be focused on a bit more.

When it comes to industrial training it is important to remember that developing a trusting and dependable relationship with your adult learners will help clearly get information across and ensure your trainees are properly grasping the concepts taught in the classroom or online. Contact ITC Learning today to find out more about implementing industrial training for your employees.

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5 Industrial Training Myths

April 24th, 2012

Industrial training is perhaps one of the most important steps in workforce development. However, throughout the years many myths have come about as a result of both quality and poor manufacturing training. Some of these myths are listed below:

1. When the going gets tough, cut training.

This is statement is not only false but it’s absurd. It’s understandable that deciding on what budgets to cut is not a simple task to take on when times are tough. However, it’s during those tough times that you want your workforce to produce at their full potential, and in order to do so, often industrial training courses will need to be implemented.

2. Once industrial training is complete, manufacturing managers should not concern themselves with the issue again.

Following industrial training managers should consistently follow up to see whether their staff is applying those skills they learned. If they are, then plant managers as well as owners will be able to see the success of their work. If not, they’ll need to assess their mistakes and see how their industrial training program can be improved upon.

3. Putting a web-based industrial training program in place is the best route to go because it is the cheapest.

Although web based learning systems tend to be more cost effective, they are not always the most effective. Adult learners retain information in very different ways. Incorporating full motion video courseware as well as CD-ROM and DVD courses can help mix things up and ensure each of your staff members receives the proper industrial training for their learning style.

4. Implementing industrial training just once will solve all performance and development issues.

Wrong again. Industrial training courseware is a great opportunity to enhance employee performance and make sure proper protocol is utilized. However, it may take time and patience for your workforce to really improve upon their skills and boost output.

5. It will be obvious to industrial skills trainers what each trainee will need to learn from the get go.

Prior to organizing and employing industrial training courseware, plant managers should analyze their staff’s current industrial skill sets and, when training time comes, make it clear what it is their workforce is expected to take away from the program.

There are tons of myths pertaining to industrial training courseware and it is critical to become aware of them before actual training begins. To learn more about how to select the right manufacturing training program for your staff and how to ensure your program will be effective, contact ITC Learning.

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The Importance of Making Manufacturing Training the Norm

April 23rd, 2012

When it comes to cost-cutting plans in many manufacturing plants, often the first of the budgets to be eliminated is that for workforce development. However, this is one of the most common errors made in manufacturing management when it comes to industrial skills training. Another common mistake is that managers do not take the time to step back and properly analyze the current skill level of their staff and the objectives they wish to reach. If manufacturing managers took the time to evaluate and prioritize the particular type of training they need to better benefit your workforce, then they might see in a time of nickel and diming that industrial training could actually be an opportunity to advance current skill sets and increase both production and your bottom line.

In order to put forth effective workforce development, industrial training programs and their optimization efforts must go along with an organizations specific outlooks. In 2009 Ron Kirscht, President of Donnelly Custom Manufacturing Co., noted a few factors which motivate his commitment to industrial training efforts. Those motivations include the following:

Nothing is static when it comes to manufacturing training. Your workforce’s skill level is either improving or becoming worse.
Profit directly relates to the quality and quantity of a given plant’s output.
Management’s most important task is to encourage the continuation of business.

Manufacturing training should be a part of every plant’s human resources norm. Air Products and Chemicals, an atmospheric gases and related equipment/materials manufacturer, aims to make manufacturing training a prominent part of their human resources. Vince Grassi, the firm’s director, said “As part of the HR function, workforce training and management is now one of the 13 standardized processes used across the corporation.” He adds, “The other advantage of standardizing processes lies in having a uniform, low cost model available throughout the global corporate presence.”

Consistent advances in manufacturing technology add another critical element to the training game. With manufacturing technology orders reaching a ten year high, manufacturing training becomes an important issue among plant managers. ITC Learning offers an array of industrial training courses to ensure your workforce is performing efficiently and effectively and ultimately aims to increase your bottom line and boost your return on investment. Contact ITC Learning today to learn more.

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Safety and Maintenance Training Essential for Efficiency

April 12th, 2012

Industrial safety training is no joke. While accidents are inevitable, manufacturing managers should do all they can to prevent them. Aside from offering the safest work space possible, they can also provide industrial employees with the opportunity to take part in safety training. Manufacturing training which focuses on plant safety alone is critical to ensure safe practices during production. However, implementing quality maintenance training is equally as important. A workforce with a well-rounded industrial maintenance skill set will be able to properly repair, install and maintain the industrial equipment found on your plant floor. Tending to routine maintenance issues and performing preventative up keep will assure everything is running smoothly.

With U.S. technology orders continuing to rise as 2012 progresses, maintenance training is becoming all the more important. The Association of Manufacturing Technology reported that manufacturing technology orders in February totaled nearly $444 million. This number demonstrates a 9.3 percent increase since January and was up 35.2 percent when compared to the $328.44 million reported in February of last year. Douglas K. Woods, President of AMT noted, “Manufacturing technology orders are off to their best start since 1998…U.S. manufacturers continue to seek increases in productivity through automation and innovative technologies to increase their global competiveness.”

ITC Learning offers industrial maintenance training that can help your current as well as new employees acquire their maintenance training certification or simply enhance their existing skills with maintenance training programs. With industrial businesses investing more and more in new technologies, proper up keep is essential to make sure their machinery is running correctly and efficiently. With a well trained workforce, frequent inspections of both new and old technology as well as an in depth knowledge of new technology maintenance protocols your plant machinery will operate to its full potential and ultimately work effectively to increase your bottom line. To find out more about industrial maintenance training for your team, contact ITC Learning.