ONLINE LEARNING FOR STAINLESS STEEL INDUSTRY GOES LIVE
Smiling african-american guy in earphones studying foreign language online through video conference application, panorama with copy spaceFollowing COVID-19’s ‘business interrupted’ start to 2020, the globe has seen a swift adaptation of training strategies geared around safer, more accessible digital platforms.
As a significant source of education and training in the South African stainless steel industry, Sassda has been proactive in using technology for online learning. This approach has ensured that stainless steel awareness and training can continue within current regulations and with the added benefits to students of not having to travel to training venues while saving time and costs.
We caught up with the Sassda Training Team to learn more:
#1 WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH BEHIND SASSDA’S SHIFT TO ONLINE LEARNING?
In keeping with the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), Sassda had already identified the benefits of technology for distance learning, especially for our
members located far from major centres and outside of South Africa’s borders.
The arrival of the COVID-19 virus accelerated this approach and we are proud to say that it is now possible to continue all our standard training and educational services via technology. In some ways, this has made the Sassda training events so accessible that we are now running weekly webinars to international audiences.
Sassda staff have been pivotal in bringing their expertise into the classroom during this time, and in future, specialist members of the association will contribute to these sessions. Sassda is also in the process of setting up a network of retired members and industry stalwarts who will be available to assist members with technical and other stainless steel related issues. This initiative will ensure that the institutional memory and knowledge built over decades is shared on a broader platform to the benefit of the stainless steel industry.
#2 HOW WILL YOU USE DIGITAL PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY?
During the pandemic, a range of excellent digital platforms for this type of communication saw the light. Currently, Sassda makes use of the Microsoft Teams platform with good effect. As a progressive thinking organisation, we are continually looking at ways to enhance the quality and accessibility of our training events.
#3 WHICH COURSES ARE PART OF THE ONLINE OFFERING?
Currently, there is a continuous series of Wednesday webinars “60 Minutes in Stainless Steel”. The events are open and free, to stimulate demand for these sessions. From the attendance records and feedback from attendees, there is enough data to develop this webinar series into real value adding experiences. The first series of work sessions are aimed at salespeople. As demand grows for specific information, the webinars will be extended to cover sessions for architects, fabricators, buyers, purchasers, warehouse and stores staff and ultimately the endusers. Each webinar is designed to make the information easy to understand and enabling participants to use this knowledge to add significant value to their daily business activities.
#4 WILL THE WEBINARS REPLACE SASSDA’S EXISTING DESK BOUND COURSES, OR WILL WE SEE A BLENDED APPROACH ONCE PHYSICAL CLASSES ARE POSSIBLE?
Our current webinar series titled “60 Minutes in Stainless Steel” is fundamental in nature and targeted towards practical work applications and experience needed to fulfil work functions. This will not replace our existing educational courses, and in fact, they are quite different. This is aimed at awareness, information, and the general education of staff. It can also be a marketing opportunity for members when they invite customers to share in the stainless steel conversation.
#5 OVERALL, WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE WEBINAR SERIES?
Apart from the online learning opportunity offered by Sassda, it is hoped that through the “60 Minutes in Stainless Steel” series we will also have an opportunity to interact with members in the absence of physical meetings. The interactive nature of the webinars will continue to build relationships with current members and attract new members. It would seem that the webinars are proving to be a positive platform to share knowledge, hear opinions and ask questions.
#6 WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR THESE COURSES AND WHEN WILL THEY START ROLLING OUT?
Sassda started with the concept of webinars a few years ago. At that stage the functionality of digital platforms was not understood and valued. As such, we did not see a more significant uptake on digital events compared to regular events. This has now changed, and the current Webinar series is highly popular and will continue weekly on Wednesdays at 15h00 CAT.
However, to publish a medium to longer term list of topics for discussion will be counterproductive to the real flexibility of our programs. Members involved with our Technical and Training sub-committee will analyse market requirement and session feedback to determine the most relevant topics for future webinars. This will ensure that our content remains relevant, is aligned with industry requirements and packaged in the most value adding format. All events are advertised in advance through emailers and social media. Latest information will always be on our website and we appreciate any comments and suggestions aimed at improving the product and its value.
#7 ASIDE FROM TECHNICAL TRAINING ON STAINLESS STEEL, WHAT ELSE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE WEEKLY SESSIONS?
Sassda is in essence a source of technical information, but we have realised that members need to be more than technically competent to grow the local industry. We therefore aim to break the technical sessions with more business related content. Since the beginning of the year Sassda has hosted a series of webinars with Bureau Veritas regarding export readiness and business compliance for the international market.
This type of non-technical presentations will continue as part of the weekly “60 Minutes in Stainless Steel” series. Some of the events that we are currently working on are market related sessions in conjunction with South African embassies across the world. This will give members insight into potential international markets. We have also hosted information sessions with government departments such as the dtic and this will also continue as the Steel Master Plan unfolds.
Join the conversation and book your seat in the next Sassda “60 Minutes with Stainless Steel” webinar series by clicking here https://sassda.co.za/60-minutes-with-stainless-steel-series-webinars/