Many classrooms and one-on-one training opportunities were unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions. With workplace changes essential workers who rely on options like job shadowing and in-person training are left at a disadvantage compared to their remote colleagues who have easier access to virtual training. Does this mean that essential workers, specifically those working with electrical assets, must do without training and knowledge learning until restrictions are lifted? Not at all. Technology has accelerated and evolved since the pandemic started, providing more accessibility and availability to your organization’s essential workforce. Learn how to support your electrical workers with effective remote training options that help ensure optimal performance and a safe working environment.
Remote Training Options in the New Normal
Virtual meetings, training, and classes that were just emerging prior to the pandemic are now becoming necessary for communication and knowledge sharing since traditional training options continue to be unsafe and unavailable. Because safety training is critical, organizations like yours must start embracing digital tools and remote options to continue supporting your organization’s employees.
These are just some of the technology and remote training options that are available to organizations like yours:
- E-Learning is typically self-paced online learning. It may include access to instructors through online bulletin boards, online discussion groups, and e-mail. Or, it may be totally self-contained with links to reference materials in place of a live instructor.
- Learning Management Systems are software applications for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.
- Virtual Classrooms enable instructors to interact with students, online and in real-time. Students can voice their questions and interact with peers similar to how they would in a regular classroom.
- Augmented Reality is the new workforce training technology. Job shadowing, training, and troubleshooting are conducted remotely with the added capability of being able to connect with an expert trainer who is able to see what the employee sees in real-time.
Using Augmented Reality to Enable Your Employees to Work Safer
Hands-on training has been proven to help people learn faster and retain more information. Augmented reality technology makes it possible for a worker to show an expert a problem and get immediate assistance on a resolution, while the expert is seeing what the employee is seeing. Similarly, augmented reality can be used for remote training, enabling employees to connect with an expert to share knowledge, ask questions, and “learn by doing.” This modern technology is truly a value for organizations working on energized asset management. When an employee needs electrical training or assistance with arc flash or lockout/tagout procedures and their trainer is remote, augmented reality creates a virtual space for the interaction and problem solving to happen.
Augmented reality technology includes:
- Real-time collaboration with, and knowledge transfer from subject-matter experts
- Remote communication and experiential learning from industry trainers
- On-demand training scenarios that display safety hazards, machine components, and work instructions
Moreover, augmented technology boosts worker productivity by as much as 50 percent and reduces human errors by up to 90 percent.
Is Your Organization Ready for Remote Training?
If your organization has a segment of remote employees, chances are you’ve started taking advantage of virtual conferencing to communicate regularly. But, what about your essential workers with their boots on the ground? You may be able to meet with them on-site, but what about their training? Has it resumed since the pandemic started? For many organizations it hasn’t. However, in lieu of meeting in the classroom or job shadowing, there are many remote training options available that are just as effective as being performed in person and offer many benefits to an organization, including continuing to promote a safe environment.