Digital Training Center for Clamping Technology grabs attention of apprentices in metalworking professions
A blown workpiece and misaligned boreholes…
Anyone working on a machine in this industry knows the weak spots when a workpiece isn’t handled properly. Aligning and clamping should be part of the basic skill set in all metalworking professions, and all companies would agree on that. However, that‘s not how it is in real life. “This basic principle has not yet made its way into official training materials, and GRIPP clamping, for example, is not mentioned at all,” says Herbert Mayr, operations manager at ALLMATIC. Mayr himself serves as an examiner at the local chamber of commerce and industry; he and his colleagues who work for the renowned vice specialist in Unterthingau, have declared war on this superficial knowledge and started an initiative.
What ALLMATIC wants their Training Center apprentices to take home is how to clamp workpieces correctly and to understand how important this step is in the work process. “We have taken on the challenge and provide professional newcomers with the necessary basic knowledge – for free,” says Mayr. And by the way, you probably won’t get in a word edgewise once he starts talking about the feedback that he has gotten from trainers after only a short period of time. “That’s a huge compliment for the Training Center. The class is really great and will optimize our training, which was solid already. E-Learning is the future, and I have to admit the portal is really well-made. Kudos to you!” Peter Guggemos, for one, is thrilled. Guggemos works as a trainer at Deckel Maho Pfronten, one of the world’s leading machine manufacturers.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry likes what ALLMATIC does as well. „The new internet portal that teaches apprentices how to correctly use clamping systems is an excellent example of dedication & commitment to vocational training,” says Christian Munz, head of department at the CCI in Swabia.
“In our Training Center, you’ll learn clamping technology basics step by step – with typical applications,” says Herbert Mayr to explain the idea his team had. What makes it so special? In 12 lessons, ALLMATIC apprentices David and Dominik explain Linda in an interactive way how it should be done correctly. “Since we are a manufacturer of vices, clamping technology is, of course, one of our priorities. Hence, that’s what we teach our apprentices.” This specialist knowledge is now being shared with the apprentices in other companies in short tutorials – with apprentices teach other apprentices – at eye level. The Training Center adapts to the pace of the individual learners, and at the end of each unit, there are tangible results. Short tests and a comprehensive ‘final exam’ at the end of the course will show the trainers at their various companies what content their apprentices have really grasped. Any apprentice that proves to the computer system that they’ve reached a performance level of 80 percent or more will also be awarded a successful participation certificate issued by ALLMATIC.
“The feedback we’ve received shows that we have impressed both apprentices and trainers in the industry. We are very pleased with that,” says Evelyn Wegscheider, head of Marketing at ALLMATIC. “Our Training Center is designed to enable real, intuitive learning, which makes it a perfect complement to the classic syllabus we use with our apprentices.” By the way, the ALLMATIC initiative serves as the perfect opportunity for trainers to familiarize themselves with the tools and technology of modern ‘e-learning’ for the first time. Now they can seamlessly monitor the progress of their own apprentices and intervene if there are any deficits. “However, the class is also a welcome refresher course for their own clamping competences,” says Herbert Mayr and winks.