New E-Training Service Hits the Streets for Crane and Lifting Equipment Professionals

Enlarge Image CICB launches e-training programs.

September 8, 2005 • The challenge exists in any industry, as the pace of business continues to increase at a rapid rate. Training all employees thoroughly is essential, but time is money — creating a struggle between sending people to expensive, off-site training sessions and justifying lost time and productivity on the job. Historically, one common solution to balance this dilemma has been for companies to send a few select employees to lengthy training, who are then expected to come back to the office and train the masses. This approach can present not only timing constraints but also competency issues. For crane and lifting equipment professionals, Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau (CICB), Orlando, Fla., and Instructional Dimensions, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., established CICB e-Training. This joint venture created an alternative to this problem by developing the first interactive electronic learning tools in the crane and lifting equipment industries.

 

“E-Training is not designed to replace classroom training, but rather to enhance it. We're big fans of blended learning,” said Debbie Dickinson, vice president, Instructional Dimensions, LLC & CICB e-Training. “What people in the crane and lifting industry have called “interactive” training for years is just at a very different standard than how people in other industries define interactivity. When we started looking at what was available in the crane industry, we saw a lot of presentations with low retention value. We wanted to develop a high quality of training that engaged the minds, challenged people, and gave meaty information that could be measured by increased productivity and safety on the job.”

 

Demoed to the public at ConExpo but officially launched at the end of June, the first e-Training program released on CD-ROM is “Using Standard Communication Signals to Direct Crane Operations,” which teaches standard hand and voice communications, including the newest ASME B30.5 standard for voice signal requirements. New responsibilities for supervisor, crane operator, and signal person are also identified. As a supplement to classroom instruction, each program provides in-depth learning on a specific subject and teaches OSHA regulations, ASME standards, and practical tips. Material, presented for different learning styles, includes games, exercises, Q&A, animation, and quizzes. As standards and regulations change, updates will be provided in the form of new versions made available to customers or the possibility of putting patches on the Internet to address specific revisions.

 

After more than 30 years in the crane industry, Cliff Dickinson, president of Instructional Dimensions, LLC & CICB e-Training, crafted this e-Training concept into a reality. After starting in the industry with Crane Tech, Cliff later joined CICB, and then was one of the founding partners of Crane Institute of America. Back in the old days, Cliff was traveling 40 weeks a year, delivering crane training education and seminars to crane and lifting professionals all over the country. “After years of doing these training classes, I've been in all 50 states, other countries, and most major cities in the country week after week — some of them which took 40 hours or more,” he said. “But at the end of the program, I would always feel like there was so much more to say to increase safety and productivity.”

 

The CICB e-Training team includes a wealth of talent and experience. CICB e-Training product development also has the benefit of the expertise of Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau professionals who's combined experience is well in excess of 100 years in crane training, inspection, and consulting services. Craig Epperson, president and CEO of CICB said that he believes the CICB e-Training programs and their state-of-the-art computer interaction provide absolutely the most advanced e-learning tool available in our industry today, far superior to the typical video, slide show, and bulleted presentation formats. “When these programs are blended with traditional classroom and in the field learning, they will provide the best-of-the-best learning experience available today,” he said.

 

Comparing the new product to the concept of an encyclopedia, Cliff feels like this e-Training product addresse major training concerns. “It's kind of like having an encyclopedia. You might read an entire presentation on a certain subject but you probably wouldn't read the entire encyclopedia in one setting — but you would have it there as a reference tool in case you need it,” Cliff said, explaining that the first program includes more than 2.5 hours of content if a user chose to run straight through it. “A novice or an experienced person can benefit from this program. The user can navigate in any direction”, he said. “It's totally self-paced.”

 

Recommended system requirements for running this e-training program include: Windows XP, 800Mhz CPU, 256MB RAM, video card capable of 800 x 600 resolution with 32-bit color, 8X CD-ROM, sound card and speakers. The price for this first release depends on the number of copies needed, ranging from $399 for a single user to $299 per copy for 21-50 users to a $23,000 flat fee for a site license, which includes up to 100 copies.

 

Although more than 30 titles are expected, two more are coming soon. “Take a Good Look: Mobile Crane Inspection Series” will cover the different types and inspection intervals required for cranes, including an overview of inspection requirements (OSHA regulations, ASME standards and crane manufacturers, conducting frequent, periodic, and wire rope inspections, and a self test. The “Load Chart Interpretation Series” will teach users how to understand and properly use crane load charts, offering six series with self tests on base setup, the quadrants of operation, capacity listing (various hoisting points), using and interpreting capacity listings, load chart notes, and taking proper deductions.

 

Also currently available is a CD that provides a Practice Test for the CCO Core Exam for $149. According to Debbie, this product assists in studying for the exam since it provides the opportunity for the student to determine areas of expertise where additional information must be learned prior to taking the exam provided by NCCCO. “We're all procrastinators,” she said. Decisions in business are made today with very little lead time so, being able to schedule all of the people who need training to go to a class is becoming increasingly difficult. This makes it easy and accessible.”

 

In development of many potential titles, CICB e-Training is seeking feedback on topics. Anyone interested in providing input on what kinds of e-Training programs industry professionals would like to see should contact them at info@cicbetraining.com. For additional information or to download a demo, visit www.cicbetraining.com.