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The classroom is king: Hands-on training is favored for walking through intricate steps. At Baldor, it’s also a means to build relationships. “In a live learning environment, customers can get their questions answered as they come to mind,” says Baldor Training Specialist Joe Bojanowski. “You can’t do that with videos, pre-programmed computer-based courses or webinars. With webinars, people in the ‘cloud’ tend to lose touch with what’s going on. And while on-demand video might be suitable for introducing the basics, a how-to video on a live unit would be enormous in size because of all the details wrapped around it.” He sees potential for live video feeds of product demonstrations when implementation costs come down.
Basic and intermediate training classes are available for SEW customers who prefer an interpersonal approach. SEW facilities have mock-ups and stands for hands-on training. When conducted at a customer’s site, the end users are taught using their own products.
The 10,000-sq-ft Power Systems Experience Center in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, is a controlled environment where Eaton products are trained, tested and demonstrated. The company’s equipment is operated live in six operating environments and monitored to reveal power-quality and energy-efficiency problems in real time. Competitive products are on hand for comparison.
Accredited training most often occurs in person. “The Danfoss VLT Drive training program has been accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers participants the option of being awarded CEUs for successfully completing a training course,” says Jeff Duncan, director of marketing, Danfoss VLT Drives.
Keeping up with the changes: Changing drive technology is causing trainers to adapt their lesson plans. “A lot of background diagnostics now occur within the drives,” explains Bojanowski. “For drives with self-diagnostics, our customers need to learn how to call up the data, interpret problems such as tachometer loss or motor overload and make decisions on solutions.”
For SEW customers, targeted, personal assistance is available by calling the emergency support line, customer service or sales representative, or distributor. “Internal webinars, message boards and our learning management system help to keep the support personnel abreast of product line changes,” says Doyle.
E-mail Contributing Editor Sheila Kennedy, managing director of Additive Communications, at [email protected].
