"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
- Aristotle
There's no margin for error in a modern refinery or factory. Worker safety must be the number one priority, and proper training is a key element in ensuring everyone makes it home safely. For this reason, refiners and manufacturers take training very seriously. They know that competency is just as important as any insurance policy when it comes to mitigating risk and ensuring the efficiency of operations.
But how can you spot a first-class training program? Look for these three elements:
Training takes your employees away from the task at hand, so make sure that the time investment will yield returns to your operation. Start with a certified training program, a qualified instructor and solid materials to teach your associates.
When looking into training programs, be sure to ask: Has the instructor spent significant time in the field? Has he or she seen firsthand what daily life for my employees is like? Look for instructors who have spent time working in the field alongside engineers, mechanics, technicians, maintenance superintendents, and operators. The instructor should have intimate knowledge of the daily challenges your employees face in order to provide them with useful tools that can be applied in real life—not just in a classroom.
Experience can help an instructor quickly earn the respect of your employees and keep them engaged. Great instructors will be able to offer relatable stories and anecdotes as well as engage learners in demonstrations and activities that can accelerate the knowledge that is taken back and applied throughout your operations.
Swagelok offers a variety of training seminars
We’ve all had teachers who stand in front of the room talking ad nauseam, citing references from textbooks and never taking any real time to engage with the class. There’s no faster way to lose an audience.
The most effective training programs include a mix of theoretical, classroom-style learning and practical application. Hands-on training boosts retention and engagement.
Look for programs that dedicate at least 30 percent of course time to practical application and, depending on the subject matter, enable the instructor to spend one-on-one time with your employees.
Effective training is a continuous process. Your employees should walk away with materials, such as workbooks, tip sheets, and manuals that can be referred to in the field. They should also have the opportunity to continue their learning outside of the training room on their own time. Great training programs can be augmented by shorter online learning courses on very specific topics that will help them be safer and more efficient on the job.
Instructors and training facilitators should also be available after the initial training to provide a touch point for employees seeking further information or support. Often, questions arise around site energy loss and emissions, as well as hose and safety inspections. A real-world engineer who lives and breathes what they teach can be a constant resource.
Industrial Sampling Systems, the definitive reference guide by expert Tony Waters (book excerpt)
Here's a quick checklist for evaluating a training course.
Ultimately, proper training and education provide consistency to your operations. Quality content and expert instruction can help employees work safer and smarter around the clock, saving time and reducing costs.
We have a free PDF of training classes available through Swagelok Northern California. Call us at 510-933-6200 or contact us through our website to schedule a session.
Swagelok Grab Sampling Systems Application Guide (Catalog)
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