Training Today’s and Tomorrow’s Lineworkers

 Consortium of MEA’s Electric Utility and Contractor Company Members  Training materials  computer-based courses  Instructor-led course materials  Field Performance Evaluations  Focused on lineworkers  Pre-Apprentice, Apprentice, & Journeyman (refresher) training applications

 Wave of retirements  New hires who may learn differently  Potential for greater regulation  Energy bill of 2005  Greater emphasis on refresher training  Documented continuing education

 Some current training is outdated  Even the best companies not 100%  Industry wants “Best of the Best” content  “consensus”  Built by Subject Matter Experts  Better, faster learning  new learning technologies plus classroom & OJT

 Much lower cost  24/7, 365 availability  Visual plus sound  Individualized instruction  Built in testing, records, resource materials  Easier to update  Easier to customize Part of a “blended learning” training program

Apprenticeship or One on One Training  Father to son on the farm or trade  Master to willing apprentice

 One on One learning too costly  Classrooms teach many at once  Dependence on students digging content from books

 Growth of computers at work & home  Kids very tech savvy  TV generation wants sight and sound  Infinitely patient  Learn as fast as you can— not held back  Instant feedback  Use lessons as reference

Best Practice is Blended Learning  Leverage computer learning  Pre-testing  Pre-requisites & knowledge content  Refresher training  Complement with Classroom  Provide Hands on Training  Reinforce with OJT  Refresh and reinforce

 Team set objectives & schedule  Team agreed on what lineworkers need to know  Achieved consensus on course content  Developed Performance Evaluations  Captured all step-by-step actions for every individual task  Determined how would we know if each step was done correctly

Quality Control Steps  Gathered content from multiple utilities—looking for the “best”  SMEs reviewed all proposed content  on-line courses  instructor-led (classroom) material  tests and field evaluations End Result: Updated, SME-Reviewed Content

 Engineered for effective learning  Learn and then practice  Sound, visuals, activities  Immediate feedback  Testing  Pre-test (“test-out” feature)  Post test  Recordkeeping built-in  Easy access to glossary and reference materials

 Overhead Systems & Components  Underground Systems & Components  Safety & Health  Services & Secondaries  Metering  Transmission Systems  Distribution Systems  Tools & Equipment  Basic Electric Components  Electric Utility Fundamentals

 Pressure to reduce the “total cost” of training  Workers want media rich learning, not just lectures  Lineworkers, trainers and management are working together  Content must be credible—widely accepted The Future of Utility Training

 Pre-hire training & testing  Pressure to document knowledge & competence  Expectation of regular refresher training and continuing education  Pressure to reduce time from hire to competent worker Future Trends in Utility Training