New Venture Offers Online
Metalworking Education
Tooling
University Offers Metalworking Education Online Tooling University, a new
venture by Cleveland-based Jergens Inc., aims to supplement employee training
for the metalworking industry. Available via the Internet at www.toolingu.com,
the for-profit instructional Web site focuses on disciplines such as
workholding, CNC machine operation, metalforming, metalcutting, materials and
material handling.
According to Jack Schron, president of Jergens,
Tooling University was created in response to the growing need for a more
technically proficient workforce in the metalworking industry. Schron said one
of the primary reasons for opening Tooling University is that many publicly
funded schools are closing the doors to their shop-oriented classes.
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"One of the primary
reasons for opening the Internet-based Tooling University is that many publicly
funded schools are closing the doors to their shop-oriented classes"
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Organized under headings such as "Materials" and
"Workholding," the topics are subdivided into individual courses consisting of
17 to 20 lessons apiece. The student begins by logging onto the Web site with a
user name and password. He or she then picks a class and completes the course
within whatever period of time is deemed appropriate by the either the student
or the employer funding the training.
The Web site has a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use
interface, which allows the student to take online notes while reading the
material. Questions may be asked of instructors via message boards and e-mail.
Quizzes and tests are then given and the scores are tabulated against a
national average.
Given the flexible nature of the instruction, Schron
said the training could be worked into almost any schedule. With each class
requiring no more than 4 to 5 hours of "instructional time," the student can do
the class work from any Internet-enabled computer. Through the quizzes, the
employer can monitor the progress of the student.
Instruction materials are provided by a variety of
sources. For example, Valenite Inc., Madison Heights, Mich., supplies the
primary instructional information on metalcutting. Schron emphasized that this
information is not promotional material, but solid, technical information. "The
listed corporations give us information only. It's not an extension of their
sales team," he said.
Schron believes this venture will help shape the
future of employee benefits. With the advent of flextime and the critical need
to develop and maintain technical skills, employers will be compelled to offer
training packages, just as they offer health insurance.
"Just as you wouldn't go to work for a company that
didn't offer health benefits, we feel that job applicants will take the same
consideration when it comes to training," he said.