WEB-BASED
TRAINING
Jergens, Inc. announced a new venture
intended to provide online training in industrial manufacturing skills. Tooling
University training delivers on-demand, real-world manufacturing content from
industry's experts. Organized like a traditional university, Tooling U training
includes disciplines such as Workholding, Metal Forming, Metal Cutting,
Materials, and Material Handling. Faculty members individually respond to
student questions via email and electronic forums on the Tooling U website.
"Tooling U was created to eliminate
many of the difficulties associated with traditional training techniques for
the manufacturing workforce, such as seminars, text-based or video-based
approaches," said Jack Schron, Jr., president of Jergens. "Being online means
we can provide 'no downtime' learning. Sessions can be scheduled around
production requirements or personal schedules. Also, travel, lodging and meal
expenses associated with training are eliminated. Because it is web-based, our
training is infinitely scaleable and portable-you can reach as many employees
as needed wherever they are, as many times as necessary."
"Online training is current, relevant
training," said Wes Howard, Managing Director of Tooling University. "Material
is kept up- to-date in a way that is impossible for manuals, CDs, books or
videos to achieve. Additionally, training from Tooling U is accountable. The
progress of each employee is monitored, providing, for example, documentation
for ISO continuing education requirements."
Tooling U students participate in classes
that exploit the Internet's capabilities. Detailed instruction using audio,
text, photographs, and illustrations are supplemented by full motion video,
pop-up keyword glossaries, and links to the relevant websites. Participants
communicate with instructors and fellow students via email, message boards and
chat rooms. For students with slow Internet connections, supplemental
multimedia CD-ROMs are supplied to insure the complete experience.
Tooling U has already been embraced by
major manufacturing industry equipment and service suppliers. Current
department sponsors include: Valenite (Metal Cutting), Castle Metals
(Materials), Dayton Progress (Metal Forming), Crane Training (Material
Handling), and Jergens (Workholding). (Sponsors receive broad rights to employ
Tooling U material in their internal and external training and marketing
programs.)