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.
"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"
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.