Distance from colleges, relatively low numbers of potential trainees and a need to fit study around work can make providing training in a traditional setting difficult, which is why CD-ROM based training is finding favour with some textile companies
About 85% of the Scottish Borders Knitwear industry is based in the small town of Hawick. This industry is facing many challenges to its sustainability including an aging workforce and a lack of local training providers.
In order to combat this problem and help train new entrants KLITRA, the UK training organisation for the knitting, lace and narrow fabrics industry, developed a CD-ROM in conjunction with Media Innovations, a University of Leeds spinout company.
The collaboration led to production of four interactive CD-ROMs that take trainees through the basic principles of what’s needed to be a knitting technician or to fulfil complementary jobs in the industry.
The CD-ROM is designed to help students train towards an SVQ level 3 in manufacturing textiles. It works on a split screen principle. One side has objectives while the other side is split again - half is an animation and the other half is a video of a machine running. Participants have to answer questions to progress through to the next level.
Basic package
Media Innovations had already produced a basic package covering the whole of textiles – “An introduction to textiles”. The aim was to make this CD-ROM specific to what local employers needed.
“If you don’t involve them [employers] you can forget it,” said one technician in the Borders.
KLITRA involved employers in design of the CD-ROM from the beginning. It formed a steering group made up of senior engineers from local companies, showing the group the basic CD-ROM and asking what was needed to make it specific to their job.
This formed the basis of a list of requirements that KLITRA was able to go back to Media Innovations with. The package was subsequently tested with groups of technicians. Once developed, the CD-ROM was piloted by technicians and on-going changes were made to it.
KLITRA has made the CD-ROM available to member companies in the Borders and the majority of companies have used them to train not only technicians but designers and production personnel from operative to senior managers.
KLITRA found getting employers to use the CD-ROM relatively easy as they had already been involved in package design.
In terms of getting technicians involved, many were asked if they would like to participate by their employer. Although they were asked to participate, KLITRA says the technicians were generally very keen to try out the CD-ROM as they could see the long-term benefits of participating in training.
KLITRA also believes that marketing of the CD-ROM was helped by the geography of the area. It is a small area and word soon spread around the companies about it.
Business benefits
There were many identifiable benefits of using the CD-ROM, says KLITRA. In the past employers were generally unable to send employees on training courses because the colleges were either too far away, or the courses required full-time attendance over a long period which they were unable to fund. Therefore many of the technicians had never attended any kind of formal training, learning their trade on the job. The CD-ROM allowed technicians to train towards a qualification, learning at their own pace whilst fitting in with work commitments.
There was also the recognition that a more highly trained work force is more productive.
A sample and production administrator from one of the cashmere businesses is aware of what benefits the business would gain from him participating in training. “It allows me to understand the job more and do it better which kind of helps everyone in the company."
The steering group that helped to develop the software continued to meet on a regular basis and formed a training group.
The aim of the group was to address the skills and training needs in the Borders, says KLITRA director Joan Davis. “There is a recognition that there is a problem to be solved and a need to find the best way forward.” The majority of employers have continued to work together to explore solutions to training problems.
Case study – Hawick Knitwear, previously Lyle and Scott
Technicians from knitwear manufacturer Hawick Knitwear are enthusiastic about the CD-ROMs.
Jean Graham, technical team leader, spent two or three days working through the CD-ROM. “It’s pretty user friendly. One little session and you know exactly what you’re doing.”
They were also enthusiastic about the format. One technician said: “I liked the format. I found it quite interesting. I never really felt I was losing interest.”
Many of the technicians believe it is easier to learn on the screen than at the machine because they can see things in more detail and repeat things as many times as they like. They also like the fact that they can work at their own pace.
One says: “It’s a lot easier to use the computer than going on the frame for half an hour. You can go back and forward on the CD-ROM at your own pace.
“It’s very comprehensive.”
They also liked the alternative approach to learning: “It’s not just sitting in front of a lecturer or tutor, it’s a bit more interesting - hands on.
“You can get up when you feel you’ve had enough and you can go back to it when you feel you want to.”
