NEW ONLINE TRAINING VENTURE FOR INDUSTRIAL
MANUFACTURING ANNOUNCED BY JERGENS, INC.
Tooling UniversityTM to
Provide On-Demand Web-Based Training for Shop Floor to Management-Level
Employees
CLEVELAND, OH-March 26, 2001-Jergens, Inc. today
announced a major new venture intended to provide online training of
industrial manufacturing skills. Tooling University training delivers
on-demand, real-world manufacturing content from the 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 e-mail and electronic forums on the Tooling U web site.
"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," states 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,"
states Wes Howard, Managing Director of the 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. we can provide, 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 relevant web sites. Participants communicate
with instructors and fellow students via e-mail, message boards, and chat
rooms. For students with slow Internet connections, supplemental multimedia
CD-ROMs are supplied to ensure the complete interactive 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.)