Services maximise long-term benefits of training

Aftercare is a new suite of services to maximise the long-term benefits of training for manufacturers and their staff.

Aftercare is a new suite of services to maximise the long-term benefits of training for manufacturers and their staff.

Historically, operatives and engineers attend training courses and return to the workplace with new skills, which they are eager to apply.

However, with the reliability of today's automation systems, it may be weeks or even months until they are required to use their new skills.

The Aftercare programme prevents the loss of new skills acquired on a training course by constantly reinforcing them back at the workplace.

"The new range of Rockwell Automation Aftercare options offers employers a way to retain the skills improvements of their employees made by formal training and so maximise its value", says Rick Johnson, Training Capability Manager for Rockwell Automation.

"We can also assist manufacturers in addressing remaining skills gaps identified using these options.

This ensures that once technicians return to the plant they will be able to correct faults even if they occur some time after the training".

Aftercare options can be taken independently, along with training courses, integrated within an asset management contract or in a flexible company training pass.

Because each company and individual's needs are different, a range of Aftercare options is available, covering: post training assessment; job aids; RSTrainer 2000 refresher training software; coaching days; and workstations (training simulator rigs).

A post training assessment (PTA) is Rockwell Automation's innovative, computer-based self-assessment system that allows industrial production and maintenance staff to check their knowledge of automation systems.

The PTA assesses an individual's understanding and competence, based on experience and knowledge retained from previous training courses, and identifies skills gaps that need to be filled by further training.

The assessment, which uses carefully structured, multiple-choice questions to assess an individual's skill level, is carried out at the employer's site using a CD-ROM tailored to any training previously taken and the manufacturer's installed base.

The full range of factory automation and control products, including Rockwell Automation PLCs, drives, HMIs, communication networks and related software, can be covered in the assessment.

There are also plans to expand the programme through Rockwell Automation Entek to incorporate condition-monitoring techniques.

Job Aids are pocket-sized guides that provide critical information in an easy-to-use format.

The range includes: troubleshooting guides - designed to help reduce downtime by quickly identifying and solving common hardware problems; procedure guides - provide step-by-step instructions and best practice to systematically and efficiently complete job related tasks; and reference guides - include excerpts from the most frequently used technical documentation in one compact guide, eliminating the need to search through numerous manuals.

RSTrainer 2000 self-paced training programmes are refresher tools that can be used to maintain skill levels back at the workplace.

The Windows-based software package is supplied on a CD-ROM, which can be installed on one computer and accessed by any number of employees.

Providing highly interactive practice sessions that include content and audio written by Rockwell Automation training specialists, RSTraining 2000 is available to support PLC-5, SLC-500 and ControlLogix 5000.

It is also valuable refresher training for intermittent RSLogix users.

With coaching days, a Rockwell Automation training professional comes on site to work with employees in a number of ways.

These can include: one-on-one coaching with technicians or engineers in specific needs areas; delivering overview training to maintenance technicians or operatives; delivering one-on-one high-level training on specific applications; and teaching optimum use of training workstations or RSTrainer 2000 software.

Workstations are the ultimate refresher option because, as a simulator of an installed system, they can be used for "hands-on" practice of acquired skills learned in formal training.

Available in standard or custom ranges, workstations can also be used as a platform for testing modules and spare parts before using them in the plant or returning them for repair.

In addition, they are useful tools for evaluating modifications to engineering processes, helping to reduce development time and achieve more effective startups.

Rockwell Automation's training services are geared to improving the utilisation and performance of production systems, and are part of the company's overall strategy of helping customers build competitive edge and improve efficiency.

The introduction of the Aftercare programme is a major advance for employers who need to confirm skills competency at the highest level.

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