Training Techniques for the Internet Generation

Abstract

Ten minutes in the company most school or college-age people almost anywhere in the world today is enough to make it apparent that young people live in an always-on, Internet-connected, multi-tasking world. Mobile devices, cloud computing, gaming, multiple devices, Internet information and multi-channel entertainment have revolutionised the everyday experiences and expectations of the talent pool available to the oil and gas industry. To compete and retain the human capital needed to sustain the industry, new solutions for education and training that respect the changing expectations of the workforce are required. The rapid evolution of consumer electronics and the cloud-based computing platforms of the future are set to revolutionise the learning experience of the next generation. Focusing on the role of the control room operator and the field technician in the oil and gas industry, this presentation explores methods and tools organisations can use to enhance the learning experience of the student, as a new recruit and throughout their continuous professional development. A framework is described that allows organisations to design learning and training experiences that will be engaging for the students and cost effective for the organisation. By designing the student workbook using a theoretical framework it is possible for students to develop towards clear, well-defined goals at their own pace, while KPI-based feedback helps identify performance gaps and provides opportunities for active interventions. Examples show how “gamification” techniques such as virtual reality simulation, together with more traditional challenge and response scenarios, provide an enriched experience for both teacher and student. These new techniques motivate and engage students, increasing attainment of learning outcomes and improving retention of knowledge, skills and behaviours. The economic and social imperative for safe, efficient production combined with the compulsion to grow shareholder value puts immense pressure on human capital. Education and training performance is an efficient lever to help respond to these challenges.