Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1336798
www . machinerylubrication.com | January - February 2021 | 7 I What are you really doing when you buy a training seat? For some, it's just another annual budget item that needs spending. Another, more honest answer that we have heard some version of many different times is, "Well, if I have to go to a training, I might as well sign up for one in Vegas!" A useful training and a great destination, what's not to like? Unfortunately, destination trainings aren't exactly on the menu for many maintenance and reliability professionals in 2021. Even as circum- stances change and more companies re-instate travel budgets, many are using this past year as an opportunity to evaluate what their training priorities really are. Some have cut back on training because they see no simple way to get it done without exposing employees to unwanted risk. Others have adapted and found better, more focused and more efficient ways to train. Bad Training Insurance "Well, it's in Vegas" really is the most honest answer. It's common for people to use the destination as "bad training insurance." e logic is simple: if you pick a good destination, even a bad and completely useless training feels like less of a waste. I think most of us might be guilty of this from time to time. Many trainings do turn out to be so terrible that the destination is the only thing that saves the trip— at least you can still grab lunch with industry people and talk shop, right? But these days it's not so simple. If you're trying to achieve a specific reliability or maintenance goal at your facility or looking for a way to improve your own career options, you might be out of luck. Many online trainings in the post-COVID-19 era are hardly more than pre-recorded PowerPoint presentations with a disembodied voice you can barely hear through your computer speakers. But still, we know that the right tra ining — one that's engaging, cutting-edge, and practical—can be inspiring and provide a new perspec- tive. Often, people find that t r a i n i n g creates a "lightbulb moment" that helps you see new solutions for your biggest problems. e right training can even help you find a new direction in your career. It can transform teams from the inside and improve the overall maintenance and reliability culture within your organization. Training and Educating – What's the Difference? Industry-leading organizations use up to 10 percent of working-hours training their employees to ensure that the necessary knowledge and skills are always fresh on their minds and clearly understood. But how much of this training is truly under- stood? Does it provide value as intended? How do you evaluate training offerings to know which to choose without sitting down and taking the training yourself? How to Find Useful Training in 2021 and Beyond e short answer is—look at those who are adapting. ese days, you can't afford to waste time or money on bad training. And right now, those great destinations like Miami, San Diego, or Vegas are not even on the table to save a bad training. Look for companies offering trainings that help you solve specific problems or achieve specific goals. If the company website has no information about the training besides the title and price, it's probably best to steer clear. Google is your friend in times like these—the best training options these days are online and, most importantly, they are LIVE. Not ML