Are new technologies destroying effective training? Smoke and mirrors.
“Is the training course face to face training, in person?”
“Yes”
“Are you sure it will be in person and you are not going to change it to virtual training just before the start?”
“Yes, we are certain the training will be in person at our training rooms”
This is a typical Train to Safety / Client conversation which is becoming more and more common as time goes by.
Why is it that more and more organisations, in particular the larger organisations are demanding this type of training? It transpires that many places are extremely dis-satisfied with the overall effect that virtual training and training where the assessment is not carried out under supervision.
“I interviewed three people for a Health and Safety Support role last week, they were all recently well qualified but lacking in a bit of experience. I asked them each why Local Exhaust Ventilation is so important for a welding operation. None of the interviewees could give me a satisfactory answer. I was astonished.” Part of a recent conversation I was in, with a respected manufacturer.
AI has a lot to answer for. The technology is having such a major impact on our working world, and is only in its infancy. The reference Brain-rot as the word of the year is no coincidence. Universities are struggling to cope with deciding if large dissertations have been created in five minutes or were the work of hours of research and diligent study. I fear the overall impact of these technologies is completely devaluing one of the greatest methods of controlling risk.
The impact of virtual training appears to also be just as detrimental. Some courses we run are totally virtual. We have the equipment to do hybrid. Lat week we had a number of people in the training room and one person who joined through teams meeting but through a remotely positioned camera in the training room to try and promote inclusivity. However, despite our efforts, the experience of the remote delegate was far less engaged than the delegates in the room who took away a good experienced. It’s a shame as both types had paid the same money but each received a product with vast difference in value and final effect.
Currently we are reviewing our range of courses to try and maintain the value we have always tried to achieve. The CCNSG safety passport is a good example. The ECITB go to the ends of the earth to ensure quality standards are maintained. The IOSH Managing Safely course too is mainly completed as an in-person course with a supervised exam at the end of it. Some of the other courses we think will have to change back to this method or risk loosing too much credibility.
Our next REAL ISOH course is running one day per week in January starting on 16th January.
Please message on hello@traintosafety.co.uk or phone 08432890579 and speak to a REAL person about it.
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