PLC Training Online

Well your typical industrial training consists of several days hands on training with a qualified instructor. So where's the problem? There are several problems with this model. First the short time period just does not work well for learning retention. Most people have been told as they were growing up, "don't cram because you will not remember it." So what do we do with our trainees of industrial equipment? We cram it in them so fast they would be hard pressed to remember it under most circumstances; however, these students are not just students. These are generally the people keeping their facilities up and going. After a week gone to their training, many of them have so much to do when they return that it is weeks before they can try to put that training to use. By that time, much of what they learned is just gone. That leads into the second problem. The students being sent off to train are key individuals. Usually they are the ones that people turn to when there is a problem. Naturally sending them away for a week is a problem in itself. Industry needs training that is delivered over time and doesn't remove key individuals from their facilities.

College courses have the benefit of being taught over time and thus being able to stick in the students mind. They generally provide equipment for the student to work with and generally don't have to walk the student through their programs. Unfortunately very few instructors in the college setting have good solid industrial experience. Obviously there are some instructors that don't fit this mold. To benefit from a college course, the prospective student should research the instructors to make sure they have the experience to share. Similar to the manufacturers courses, college instruction ends once the course is complete. No further interaction with the instructor is expected or given after the course is complete. The advantage of a good online program are that the student can generally sample the coursework to determine if the instructor is experienced. In addition a good online plc training program will allow the student to review and remind themselves of the material learned.

PLCMentor.com provides training in video format. Videos are suited to students as they respond well, and generally learn more quickly, by watching example tasks being performed. Properly formatted PLC training videos are available that let students learn specific subjects quickly when necessary. The videos are short and on specific tasks and subjects that allow for quick searching and reviewing as required.

Online training programs allow the trainees to learn over time which leads to better retention. Advanced exercises can be assigned that may take an extended time period to complete. That extra time is just not available in the shorter course periods that traditional courses offer. These advantages are why online training such as that on the PLCMentor training site are growing in popularity and replacing traditional outlets.