Support for Equipment Trainers
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Who are equipment trainers?
Equipment trainers occupy a corner of the adult education world, typically working for corporations that manufacture a complex machine as a product, for businesses that buy the above mentioned machine, or for the military that may use a complex machine. What kind of machines? Examples include medical equipment like cat scan machines (see left), military equipment such as helicopters or fire control systems, industrial robots such as underwater remote control vehicles, and manufacturing equipment such as ion implanters used in semiconductor fabrication.
Equipment trainers provide training in the operation, maintenance, installation, repair, and customization of specific machines.
Equipment trainers are also "technical trainers" but not all technical trainers provide equipment training. For example many technical trainers provide training in the generic skills that are needed prior to maintenance training on an industrial robot. Such generic training includes electronics, hydraulics, vacuum systems, and more. Technical training is also used to describe an array of software skills as well as specific software product training, like the use of a particular CAD/CAM product.
One thing is for sure: equipment trainers are NOT personal fitness trainers! Anyway, do I look like a fitness trainer??? I mention this because if you do an internet search for "trainer," a huge percentage of the resulting links are for "personal trainers."
I created a simple chart (below) to show how "equipment trainers" fit into the world of adult education. The chart is not all inclusive! It is only meant as a general guide to defining an equipment trainer.
Equipment trainers provide training in the operation, maintenance, installation, repair, and customization of specific machines.
Equipment trainers are also "technical trainers" but not all technical trainers provide equipment training. For example many technical trainers provide training in the generic skills that are needed prior to maintenance training on an industrial robot. Such generic training includes electronics, hydraulics, vacuum systems, and more. Technical training is also used to describe an array of software skills as well as specific software product training, like the use of a particular CAD/CAM product.
One thing is for sure: equipment trainers are NOT personal fitness trainers! Anyway, do I look like a fitness trainer??? I mention this because if you do an internet search for "trainer," a huge percentage of the resulting links are for "personal trainers."I created a simple chart (below) to show how "equipment trainers" fit into the world of adult education. The chart is not all inclusive! It is only meant as a general guide to defining an equipment trainer.
Important!
Why Do Equipment Trainers Need Support?
The needs of technical trainers dedicated to equipment training are largely ignored. Here are some examples... and solutions.
1) "Train the Trainer" Courses Mostly Ignore Equipment Training.
The PBET Workshop is the exception.
Most train the trainer courses or workshops are typically not geared for equipment trainers. They are geared for soft skills trainers and to a lesser extent for generic technical trainers. As a result, equipment trainers who attend typical train the trainer workshops are frustrated. Although there are useful tips that can be adapted to the equipment training world, these courses typically overlook the details related to hands-on practice and other elements that are critical to successful equipment training.
So if your employee will be teaching team skills or coaching skills you might look into generic programs like that offered by the American Management Association or perhaps the programs of the Langevin Learning Services. However, these programs are not the best choice for equipment trainers.
Your first choice for a train-the-trainer Workshop geared for equipment trainers should be the Performance-Based Equipment Training (PBET) Workshop. Yes, I am biased - it is my Workshop. I am so well identified with equipment training that I am known as Mr. PBET throughout the semiconductor industry. But the most important thing to notice is that this course is tailor-made to the particular issues that face the equipment trainer.
The competencies tested in the CTT program (Certified Technical Trainer) are geared for information technology and software instructors, and while useful, do not fully address the situations facing equipment trainers.
I fully endorse HPT (Human Performance Technology) and believe that an HPT workshop is useful. The PBET Workshop tries to position the equipment training requirement within the framework of HPT; training is only one of many solutions to performance gaps/issues. But my focus here is on the equipment trainer in particular.
So if your employee will be teaching team skills or coaching skills you might look into generic programs like that offered by the American Management Association or perhaps the programs of the Langevin Learning Services. However, these programs are not the best choice for equipment trainers.
Your first choice for a train-the-trainer Workshop geared for equipment trainers should be the Performance-Based Equipment Training (PBET) Workshop. Yes, I am biased - it is my Workshop. I am so well identified with equipment training that I am known as Mr. PBET throughout the semiconductor industry. But the most important thing to notice is that this course is tailor-made to the particular issues that face the equipment trainer.The competencies tested in the CTT program (Certified Technical Trainer) are geared for information technology and software instructors, and while useful, do not fully address the situations facing equipment trainers.
I fully endorse HPT (Human Performance Technology) and believe that an HPT workshop is useful. The PBET Workshop tries to position the equipment training requirement within the framework of HPT; training is only one of many solutions to performance gaps/issues. But my focus here is on the equipment trainer in particular.
2) Books for Trainers Mostly Ignore Equipment Training
I have listed some books which nevertheless are most useful.
There are many new books every year that are aimed at the professional trainer and yet it is very difficult to find books that are specific to the needs of the equipment trainer. In fact, a search on Amazon for "equipment training" produced a list in which 90% of the books dealt with personal fitness training!
On the whole, for equipment training to be successful, it needs to be performance based equipment training. At the same time, it must be based upon and satisfy the needs of the business. There are a number of useful books that can address those needs.
I have located several books that address "technical training" but seem of little value to me, and certainly of little value to equipment trainers.
On the other hand, I can recommend the Mager 6-Pack for many reasons, even though only a few of the many examples include the equipment training situation. I find that his style, examples, and approach fit well into the equipment trainer's needs. His older book, Troubleshooting the Troubleshooting Course addresses at least one aspect of equipment training more directly. I am also a fan of Ruth Clark's books and one in particular is very helpful (see below). Mostly, that's about it.
On the whole, for equipment training to be successful, it needs to be performance based equipment training. At the same time, it must be based upon and satisfy the needs of the business. There are a number of useful books that can address those needs.
I have located several books that address "technical training" but seem of little value to me, and certainly of little value to equipment trainers.
On the other hand, I can recommend the Mager 6-Pack for many reasons, even though only a few of the many examples include the equipment training situation. I find that his style, examples, and approach fit well into the equipment trainer's needs. His older book, Troubleshooting the Troubleshooting Course addresses at least one aspect of equipment training more directly. I am also a fan of Ruth Clark's books and one in particular is very helpful (see below). Mostly, that's about it.
3) Training Conferences Mostly Ignore Equipment Trainers.
What to Do About It.
There are a variety of annual conferences for trainers, but none dedicated to technical training that I know of. The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) used to have a conference devoted totally to technical training until 1998 when it was eliminated in favor of what has become the TechKnowledge Conference (focusing on eLearning).Existing annual conferences tend to look for the largest audience and thus the widest appeal:
- The Training Conference & Exposition - February. Check the Training Conference website for dates and information.
- The ISPI International Conference & Exposition - April. Check the ISPI website for dates and information.
- The ASTD International Conference & Exposition - June. Check the ASTD website for dates and information.
- Elliott Masie's Learning Conference - November. Check the Masie Center website for dates and information.
Despite the huge range of workshop sessions, none are specific to equipment training. Moreover, very few of the presenters provide illustrations or demonstrations to show that their idea of podcasting, eLearning simulation, or learning game can actually work in an equipment training course.
What Smart Equipment Trainers Do at Conferences -
- They don't avoid these conferences. Rather, they know there is a lot to be learned there. In any case, as mentioned above, training is only one performance solution and everyone involved in HPT, including equipment trainers, need to know the big picture.
- They are not fooled into thinking that everything presented is applicable to equipment training. A great deal of it is not.
- They are alert to possibilities. They look for ideas and solutions and technologies that apply to equipment training. They network with other attendees and look for other equipment trainers in their sessions. They bounce ideas off one another.
Personally, I hope that a new organization and annual conference will rise up to address the interests of equipment trainers. For a number of years the Technician Performance Improvement Council (TPIC) was that organization for those in the semiconductor industry. When that group dissolved in 2008, there was a plan to reorganize to address the needs of all high tech equipment trainers. With the economy a major distraction and hindrance, it's hard to keep focused on such big ideas.
What do you think? Please express your thoughts here, subscribe to my Newsletter, and maybe even get involved with others to make it happen!
How Important is Having a Technical Trainers Association Conference?
You have just read about the lack of conferences dedicated to the interests of equipment trainers. How does this strike you?
Do we need a dedicated "Technical Trainers" Association and annual conference?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes - We need a dedicated training conference for technical trainers / equipment trainers.
No - the major generic conferences (like ASTD and others) work real well for technical trainers.
Learn More At My Blog for High Tech Equipment Trainers
"The Recession-Proof Trainer"
News and Support for Equipment Trainers in High Tech Industries. Visit and subscribe (RSS). Here are some of the more recent posts at The Recession-Proof Trainer:
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byYour comments are welcomed and encouraged!
Your reaction to the whole issue of support for technical trainers or equipment trainers?
Any thoughts about the above sections? Any interest in working with the group that has declared an intention to start a Technical Trainers Association? Any encouraging words for those attempting to create such an organization -- or advice?
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Phyllis Van
Apr 30, 2009 @ 12:22 pm | delete
- Hi Richard,
You're very right about the lack of information/support for this field and the additional challenge of TPIC dissolving. I have a few suggestions, which may or may not be valid depending on your objectives:
1. Start a SIG (Special Interest Group) within ISPI or ASTD.
2. Keep posting to Discussions in LinkedIn to gather the names/emails of other equipment trainers.
3. Start a group in LinkedIn.
4. Attend a conference and post your request and contact info on the virtual and physical bulletin boards.
5. Present at one of the big conferences; they're always looking for something different.
6. See if you can get the mailing list from TPIC to get the ball rolling.
Great links and lens! I enjoyed reading them. You have further sensitized me to this issue and you're in luck: I do some editing for a couple of well-known trainers. I've had success in getting them to put info/tips/tricks for technical trainers, so why not equipment trainers?
Good luck!
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by RGoutal
RGoutal
I support high tech companies in the implementation of performance based equipment training (PBET) through workshops, audits, and consulting. I also support... more »
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