MEMORANDUM

To: Dr. Tom Brown, Project Funds Director

From: Lealan Zaccone, E-Learning Project Manager for Business Training Resources

Subject: A proposal to blend multimedia online training courses with traditional workforce development courses offered through Northampton Community College and a partnership with ACT inc.

This proposal outlines a workforce development initiative that blends pre-developed, online training courses (e-learning) with traditional, contact-based workforce development courses, focusing on skills training in various industry sectors but primarily in industrial technology.

The demand for skills training has never been greater, especially in the manufacturing sector. Northampton Community College’s workforce is dominated by 300 + manufacturing companies, all experiencing job and skill shortages. These companies are demanding: personalized training programs tailored to workers' objectives, background and needs, flexible access to lifelong learning as a continual process, just-in-time training, new learning models for efficient integration of skills training in workplace, and cost effective methods for meeting training needs of a globally distributed workforce (Sampson, et al., p. 24).

Workforce training focuses on the development of narrowing competencies or skills, which are applied to a particular task or in a particular context, and in areas where repetition, mastery and practice are important, computer-based learning, can be the most interesting and effective means of meeting these goals (Bates, 1995). Pre-programmed computer training assists in mastery learning where learners work through materials which "combines testing, feedback, repetition, and diagnosis; and learners can progress to the point where they achieve the skills needed for work" (Bates, p. 194).

Many of the industries we serve are located in vast geographic locations and operate on a 24-hour, 7 day a week basis. These companies would benefit from training that "allows for the training of more people, is offered in short learning sessions that are easier to schedule and coordinate, and focuses on the task-oriented skills and knowledge necessary for the effective operation of the organization" (Ruttenbur, Spickler, & Lurie, 2000, p. 16). A multimedia learning environment increases access to learning that is convenient for the worker. Master learning also expands access to workers who are underemployed and seeking job-related skills with documentation for job mobility. Testing competencies through modules can be "pre-determined coded categories" for immediate proof that employees posses the skills required of the industry (Bates, 2000). Moreover, a class size of one is economically viable and eliminates the "delays that result from a shortage of qualified instructors or training facilities and from the personal scheduling conflicts of busy corporate customers and/or workers" (Chute, Thompson, & Hancock, 1999, p.48).

This proposal will discuss both advantages and disadvantages of multimedia learning used for workforce development training.

Today, because "manufacturing companies have a significantly greater interest in elearning opportunities than an actual commitment to it, many businesses are outsourcing aspects of their computer based training needs to avoid large upfront costs. Moreover, "65% of industrial/manufacturing organizations are relying on a "blended approaches wherein e-learning supplements, and enhances, face-to-face instruction. (Bonk, 2002, para 3). Blended learning increases support, flexibility and access and our companies can benefit from retraining existing workers and from increasing skill levels of prospective employees while avoiding large up front costs and travel expenses.

Employee’s value and respond well to online learning when they feel they have the necessary technical, subject matter, and managerial support (ASTD, 2002). Many companies are requesting the use of “interactive” learning formats, which require additional media “activities” or digital events to support learner interaction” (Bonk, 2002, para 9). To increase client satisfaction in delivering e-learning, our institution will develop a “value added positioning” that customizes a training experience to increase the degree of interaction and support to our users. Some suggested formats will be identified and discussed.

Ideally, it is a team of professionals who will share competencies that complement each other’s skills and attributes to manage and support the various aspects of this new initiative. This includes the efforts of "those who are directly involved with reviewing and presenting the learning content, (trainers/tutors, SME) and those involved in the support of the technologies (administrators, support staff and process staff)" (Chute, Melody, & Hancock, 1999, p. 65) This proposal will:

VIII. Plan of Action:

Schedule and planning strategies will be presented to identify how this project will move forward.