BUSINESS OPERATIONS
By Tim Neubauer, MS, CSP, JoAnn Dankert, CSP, CHMM, CIT, and Kimberly Kemp, PhD
What Employers Need to Know to ensure Training is Effective
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n the contemporary workplace, the era of one-sizefits-all instructional paradigms is effectively over. This is particularly the case in complex, high-stakes industries like steel erection. In such fields, training isn’t a mere formality but a crucial process that ensures not only competency but also safety. A misstep or misunderstanding can result in serious injury or even loss of life, making the stakes exceedingly high. In-house trainers can be more effective when they take a comprehensive approach and understand their audience. In the 21st century, steel erection training requires more than rote learning. Workers require a deep understanding and practical application of complex principles, ranging from physics to safety regulations. The risks of getting it wrong are not just financial but can be human as well. With increasing technological complexity and a more diverse workforce, the one-size-fits-all model has become obsolete.
Adapting content and delivery Today’s workforce is incredibly diverse, not only in terms of demographic factors like age, ethnicity, and educational background but also in terms of learning styles. According to the Cone of Learning developed by Edgar Dale, the retention rate for different types of educational activities varies widely. For instance, people generally remember only 10% of what they read but as much as 90% of what they do or teach others. Emerging technologies such as augmented and virtual reality offer unprecedented opportunities to adapt training to individual needs and to integrate more hands-on learning. For example, virtual reality scenarios can simulate the high-risk, high-stakes environment of a steel erection project, providing workers with a safe space to practice skills and procedures. A 2020 study by Price Waterhouse highlighted that trainees retained over 80% of the material through virtual reality training, compared to much lower retention rates for traditional methods. Moreover, this
Tim Neubauer, MS, CSP, is the founder of Exceed Safety. With training experience and content development in the workplace spanning 5 decades, his expertise forms a cornerstone of safety training methodologies. JoAnn Dankert, CSP, CHMM, CIT, is recognized in the ANSI standard on training and has been a dedicated NSC content creator for several decades. Her contributions in safety standards and instructional design have significantly influenced industry best practices. Kimberly Kemp, PhD, specializes in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction. A National Board Certified Teacher, she brings 29 years of high school English teaching experience, coupled with 20 years mentoring beginning teachers and imparting knowledge at the college level. Learn more at ResnickSG.com.
36 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
