For any organisation to work to optimal levels, it’s crucial to have the right software systems in place. But often the focus during procurement is on the actual software, rather than how to give people the skills to use them, in order to reap the benefits of the investment.
Add into the mix that a fire and rescue control room is a high-pressured, critical environment, where staff react quickly, basing their decisions on accurate information which should be at their fingertips, and you start to build a picture of how important it is not to cut corners on staff training when you’re trying to implement and embed a new control room solution.
The trouble is that too often procurement managers are persuaded that the software is intuitive. But intuitive for one person doesn’t necessarily translate to the person next to them, because we’re all at a different start point and we all learn differently, at a varying pace. Get this wrong and the consequences can be disastrous. At best you may be faced with a workforce suffering ‘tech-stress’, that well known modern phenomenon where people burnout, and in the worst case may even exit your business. But when the people making life and death decisions simply don’t have access to the information they need to make the right split-second choices, it’ll inevitably have a significant impact.
This is why we recommend digital training forms part of your control room software rollout. Using software needs to be second nature and on-screen learning with repeated practice is the most effective way for people to retain what they’ve learned. So, we create bespoke digital learning which exactly matches the configuration of your software and your ways of working. We include your branding, so it’s immediately familiar to your crews.
There’s lots of evidence which shows people learn much better online rather than in a classroom, via train the trainer sessions or with the help of manuals. Today’s sophisticated technology used for digital training means individuals receive a tailored experience which is right for them, in their particular role. They’re more willing to spend time learning because training is meaningful and can be slotted into quieter times. They can learn right up to go-live so they’re less likely to forget what they’ve learned. Best of all, if they need to refresh their knowledge, they can repeat it at any time. And when you need to onboard new starters, you can build the relevant role-based training into their induction.
One sector that is ahead of the game in this regard is police. We’ve noticed a increase in the use of digital training to upskill officers and staff on new systems and ways of working. For example, Me Learning worked with Northumbria Police with digital learning to support the implementation of a new control room solution which helped reduce the training time to six months, compared to about 18 months for traditional classroom training. This approach also reduced administrative overheads, allowed supervisors to allocate ad-hoc training time during less busy periods, accommodating sudden changes in demand.
Since 2006, Me Learning has created innovative learning solutions to help more than a million learners do their jobs better. We specialise in showing you a smarter, and better way to learn. Our learning solutions are designed to minimise the time employees spend away from their jobs while training. This approach ensures employees can remain productive and engaged while building their skills and knowledge.
To find out more about the training options provided by Me Learning, including the work we do to support emergency services:
Contact me via email at sam.hore@melearning.co.uk / 07885 804501
Or contact us at enquiries@melearning.co.uk / 01273 091 301
