  Effective CAD Training, page 2 of 2 OK, so we're now convinced that training is a good idea but because it is so expensive we need to work out how to get the maximum benefit out of it. Here is another typical scenario. The new CAD station is delivered and to get staff productive as quickly as possible it has been arranged for all staff to have basic CAD training during the course of the two weeks following the installation. Staff are duly sent off for their days training but on returning to the office they encounter two problems. First of all the project they are currently engaged with is still drawing board based and therefore, as soon as they return to the office it's back to the drawing board. The second problem is that because there is only one CAD station there is always demand from other trainees to use it. It may be weeks before a trainee returning from a training course manages to practice what they have been taught and by that time it's too late. Learning CAD is a little bit like learning to drive a car. On the training day you learn how the engine works, how to steer, change gear and what the road signs mean. As most of us are aware, however, this does not really teach us how to drive. Driving skills evolve with hours of practice and so it is with CAD. It is imperative to co-ordinate staff training so that the trainee is involved with relevant work immediately upon their return to the office. By this method you will maximise the effect of the training and consequently maximise your investment. It may be that there are a number of staff who require training but the number of available CAD stations is limited. This is not a problem, it just means that the training process takes longer. Make sure that there are always machines available for new trainees to use. This not only makes good sense but it avoids lots of frustration. There is also a positive spin-off to prolonging the training process. Rather than training all staff at the same time, a staggered training strategy enables the first trainees to help successive trainees with their learning, thereby capitalising on the initial training. Most training courses are non-discipline specific, they teach you how to use the software but not how to apply it to your particular task. For this reason it is always beneficial to follow up basic training with task specific, in-house training. This type of training can be more targeted towards those staff who will benefit most and those who have the ability to pass on the new techniques to others. A lack of follow up training leads to a stagnation of skills within any particular office, all staff eventually reaching the level of the most able person but progressing no further.
Training is not a simple process and it is not easy to programme
successfully. It is intimately involved with office and project
management and a sound training strategy should be devised for
all offices who have or intend to use CAD. David can be contacted by Email: dw@watson.u-net.com.
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