Turning workplace training into a university degree • B.C. program to help students move into trades • How tech-savvy is your CEO? • Video training accessed through Web portals • Corporate training markets making steady gains in U.S.
Turning workplace training into a university degree
Winnipeg — Employees will be able to earn university and college credits for workplace training under an initiative sponsored by the federal government. Industry Canada is pumping $305,000 into Campus Canada, a national alliance of universities, colleges and educational organizations that is developing online services to improve access to post-secondary learning. Under Campus Canada’s workplace training assessment initiative, participating institutions agree to recognize the results of assessments. Employees who receive credit for workplace training can then apply those credits toward a university or college program, which can be completed online through any one of the participating institutions. The Hudson’s Bay Company recently submitted its HR management program for review by a team of university and college experts. The team determined that HBC’s in-house training program was equivalent to either a university or college business course. The 400 HBC employees who have completed this training can now apply the credit toward online programs at participating institutions, including: Humber College, the University of New Brunswick, Athabasca University, B.C. Open University, the Marine Institute of Memorial University, Red River College and University College of Cape Breton.
B.C. program to help students move into trades
Victoria — British Columbia is investing $1.94 million in 25 pilot projects that will explore new ways to help high school students move into trade and technical careers. Christy Clark, B.C.’s education minister, said the pilot projects tie in to the government’s plan to ensure Grades 10 through 12 are more relevant in helping students transition from school life to the working world. The government hopes to reduce the apprenticeship dropout rate, which is currently about 50 per cent, by creating new pathways to obtaining qualifications and making training more flexible and accessible.
How tech-savvy is your CEO?
New York — There’s a new breed of trainers out there, ready to spring to the help of a chief executive officer who — though loathe to admit it — doesn’t know how to use a computer. Jennifer Shaheen, a New York-based computer tutor, told the Associated Press some executives who resisted technology aren’t comfortable with it now that it’s so widespread and have been afraid to ask their IT staff for help. Lane Kramer, president of the CEO Institute, a Texas-based networking group of 225 presidents and CEOs, said senior executives are often reluctant to broadcast their “lack of techno-savvy” across the business. But when they do seek help, and find out they’re not the only ones who don’t know what the two mouse buttons are for, it’s a real load off their shoulders, he said.
Video training accessed through Web portals
Raleigh, N.C. — The training department at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts recently purchased new software that allows it to create videos to show all employees through the firm’s employee Web portal. Frank Hood, chief information officer for Krispy Kreme, said using video is a more effective way in getting a message to employees than using words. By using its online employee portal, MyKrispyKreme.com, the chain is putting out consistent training messages to franchisees, store managers, trainers and employees, he said. Video training messages are also touted as a “fun, creative process for the training team.”
Corporate training markets making steady gains in U.S.
Framingham, Mass. — U.S. corporate training markets are slowly coming back and will return to a more robust expansion in 2004 and 2005, according to IDC, a technology consulting firm. It said the e-learning market will grow to $13.8 billion by 2007 while the business skills and training market should be worth nearly $17 billion.
Winnipeg — Employees will be able to earn university and college credits for workplace training under an initiative sponsored by the federal government. Industry Canada is pumping $305,000 into Campus Canada, a national alliance of universities, colleges and educational organizations that is developing online services to improve access to post-secondary learning. Under Campus Canada’s workplace training assessment initiative, participating institutions agree to recognize the results of assessments. Employees who receive credit for workplace training can then apply those credits toward a university or college program, which can be completed online through any one of the participating institutions. The Hudson’s Bay Company recently submitted its HR management program for review by a team of university and college experts. The team determined that HBC’s in-house training program was equivalent to either a university or college business course. The 400 HBC employees who have completed this training can now apply the credit toward online programs at participating institutions, including: Humber College, the University of New Brunswick, Athabasca University, B.C. Open University, the Marine Institute of Memorial University, Red River College and University College of Cape Breton.
B.C. program to help students move into trades
Victoria — British Columbia is investing $1.94 million in 25 pilot projects that will explore new ways to help high school students move into trade and technical careers. Christy Clark, B.C.’s education minister, said the pilot projects tie in to the government’s plan to ensure Grades 10 through 12 are more relevant in helping students transition from school life to the working world. The government hopes to reduce the apprenticeship dropout rate, which is currently about 50 per cent, by creating new pathways to obtaining qualifications and making training more flexible and accessible.
How tech-savvy is your CEO?
New York — There’s a new breed of trainers out there, ready to spring to the help of a chief executive officer who — though loathe to admit it — doesn’t know how to use a computer. Jennifer Shaheen, a New York-based computer tutor, told the Associated Press some executives who resisted technology aren’t comfortable with it now that it’s so widespread and have been afraid to ask their IT staff for help. Lane Kramer, president of the CEO Institute, a Texas-based networking group of 225 presidents and CEOs, said senior executives are often reluctant to broadcast their “lack of techno-savvy” across the business. But when they do seek help, and find out they’re not the only ones who don’t know what the two mouse buttons are for, it’s a real load off their shoulders, he said.
Video training accessed through Web portals
Raleigh, N.C. — The training department at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts recently purchased new software that allows it to create videos to show all employees through the firm’s employee Web portal. Frank Hood, chief information officer for Krispy Kreme, said using video is a more effective way in getting a message to employees than using words. By using its online employee portal, MyKrispyKreme.com, the chain is putting out consistent training messages to franchisees, store managers, trainers and employees, he said. Video training messages are also touted as a “fun, creative process for the training team.”
Corporate training markets making steady gains in U.S.
Framingham, Mass. — U.S. corporate training markets are slowly coming back and will return to a more robust expansion in 2004 and 2005, according to IDC, a technology consulting firm. It said the e-learning market will grow to $13.8 billion by 2007 while the business skills and training market should be worth nearly $17 billion.
