Corus take interactive training approach
Corus Northern Engineering Services (CNES), the engineering arm within the Corus Group, are offering a range of e-learning courses for their staff and customers.
E-learning provides education and training through a variety of interactive media, including multi-media CD-ROMs, websites, discussion boards and learning management software. The courses do not require instructors but allow students to learn at their own pace and to use their own resources.
‘E-learning is engaging, cost-effective, repeatable and consistent in the delivery of training solutions,’ said Nick O’Hara, business development engineer training at CNES. ‘We have built up a wealth of training expertise in many areas that we are now applying successfully to other manufacturing companies outside of the steelmaking industry. Our courses include health and safety, materials handling, project management, risk assessment, ATEX training, condition monitoring and company induction training.’
CNES believe many of today’s training courses are traditionally ‘pedagogical’ in their approach. The company has, therefore, moved away from this conventional method of teaching, and instead favour courses that are more interactive and open to interpretation.
‘The more modern approach and the way we do things at Corus is to be andragogical in our training techniques,’ Mr O’Hara explained. ‘This means having a learning environment that is active, engaging, student-centred and where the training is initiated by the person’s inner drive – not by an instructor. This can involve simple, self-assessment questions right up to complete simulations of plant, processes and systems.’
CNES offer e-learning courses tailored to customers’ specific needs. For example in materials handling, courses include fork-lift truck training, electric overhead cranes, slinging and rigging, skid-steer loaders and oxy-fuel burning.
Mr O’Hara said: ‘In reality e-learning will never replace the traditional pedagogical approach to training, as companies will always require some level of instructor training, but businesses need to find the right balance between the two.’
E-learning provides education and training through a variety of interactive media, including multi-media CD-ROMs, websites, discussion boards and learning management software. The courses do not require instructors but allow students to learn at their own pace and to use their own resources.
‘E-learning is engaging, cost-effective, repeatable and consistent in the delivery of training solutions,’ said Nick O’Hara, business development engineer training at CNES. ‘We have built up a wealth of training expertise in many areas that we are now applying successfully to other manufacturing companies outside of the steelmaking industry. Our courses include health and safety, materials handling, project management, risk assessment, ATEX training, condition monitoring and company induction training.’
CNES believe many of today’s training courses are traditionally ‘pedagogical’ in their approach. The company has, therefore, moved away from this conventional method of teaching, and instead favour courses that are more interactive and open to interpretation.
‘The more modern approach and the way we do things at Corus is to be andragogical in our training techniques,’ Mr O’Hara explained. ‘This means having a learning environment that is active, engaging, student-centred and where the training is initiated by the person’s inner drive – not by an instructor. This can involve simple, self-assessment questions right up to complete simulations of plant, processes and systems.’
CNES offer e-learning courses tailored to customers’ specific needs. For example in materials handling, courses include fork-lift truck training, electric overhead cranes, slinging and rigging, skid-steer loaders and oxy-fuel burning.
Mr O’Hara said: ‘In reality e-learning will never replace the traditional pedagogical approach to training, as companies will always require some level of instructor training, but businesses need to find the right balance between the two.’
