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Electronic Training Tools for the Construction Industry
AEM members learn about options
 Electronic training advocates say new media communication tools can improve the construction equipment industry’s training with both self-directed and instructor led electronic training programs. These tools provide more interactive educational experiences than traditional training manuals, and can boost interest, comprehension and retention for new employee training and refresher courses for veteran employees.
In fact, some are so convinced of electronic training’s merit that they say it sometimes creates a competitive advantage due to its ability to reach consumers and focus their attention on educational material, creating brand loyalty along the way.
Electronic Training Options
The individual strengths and weaknesses of the electronic training delivery systems – CD-ROM, the Internet, or a CD-ROM/Internet hybrid – must be considered for effective implementation, according to Ken Cook, President of the Ken Cook Co., and Joshua T. Chard, Ph.D., Manager of Prevention and Product Safety at Altec Industries, Inc., speaking during an AEM product safety meeting in 2001.
Improving Retention
The pair noted that electronic training assessment modules can improve retention by requiring a correct response before advancing to the next question or training module. They can also be programmed to take the user to the appropriate section of the training module to review material after a particular number of incorrect responses to a given question.
Combining interactive electronic training with a practical element causes an even more dramatic increase in trainees’ retention levels as compared to those for reading printed training material. According to Cook, retention can rise to 90 percent in such cases.
“We’ve been very successful at enhancing the training tools that companies have at their disposal with electronic communication, or combining them with electronic material to improve trainee comprehension and retention at the same time we make the training program more flexible,” he said.
Competitive Advantage
In addition to boosting retention, Cook and Chard believe that providing high quality electronic training materials can create a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This can be especially true in markets where sales are typically direct to the customer and the manufacturer is expected to take an active role in product training.
While it can provide great value, producing sophisticated content and developing electronic training material is expensive. Some costs can be offset by reduced travel expenses or by charging participants. However, production costs cannot always be recouped, according to Chard.
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