In the March of 2020, the COVID 19 pandemic literally brought face to face training to a halt, thus, accelerating a major shift to the online environment. As businesses took to the Internet to conduct their activities, virtual training in Oil and Gas Industry became the new norm. Global Data, a leading data and analytics company confirms a tectonic shift towards virtual training and further notes that this shift will persist even when employees return to the offices. Virtual Reality (VR) has become the new norm in Oil and Gas Training because it helps in 3D visualizations of abstract and real-world objects, thus, making concepts more relevant. Further, the Oil and Gas Industry deals with volatile and often dangerous environments, which builds the case for virtual training.To enable seamless Technical Training in The Oil & Gas Industry, VR helps to address concerns of workers safety while also allowing them to practice and learn by trial and error in safe environments. A report by Global Data ‘Virtual Reality in Oil and Gas – Thematic Research’ further shows that the VR trend in training in industries, including oil and gas is here to stay and will exceed the consumer segment by 2023 to reach $32 billion by 2030.
While several companies offering face-to-face upstream Oil and Gas Training Courses were forced to convert their offline courses for use in the online arena, Get Global managed to maintain a competitive edge in that it already had training courses for virtual delivery, and also instructors trained to deliver courses in the virtual environment. In this post, we discuss how our virtual training delivery for the Upstream Oil and Gas helped us meet the challenges faced by the pandemic while also delivering value to our esteemed clients. As an organization offering all types of Oil & Gas Training, we feel that it is important to share our learning and insights gained during the journey.
Our virtual training courses are designed to reflect the real-world environment, while also providing tools and features that allow the trainees to not just understand the concepts but also practice them in safe settings. By this they can avoid mistakes that can cost them dear if they make them in the workplace. Over the years, we have learned that the following methods help to enhance the learning experience in virtual settings.
Well-Trained Instructors: We have on-board leading experts on the Upstream Oil and Gas sector to deliver the virtual training courses. While they are thought leaders in their areas of expertise, we ensure that they are also updated to the latest digital technologies and methods of delivery and are able to provide a seamless learning experience to the trainees.
Structure and Delivery:- Over the years, we have learned that short and focused modules covering one core competency at a time work well with the learners. Given their busy schedules, they also prefer micro-bite sized course content which they can revisit any number of times on their smartphones while on the go or during short breaks. However, this being said, there are subjects that require more in-depth coverage and for that we have designed longer modules also but with interactive elements and using digital media technology that help to draw in the learners and keep them focussed on the subject under discussion. In sum, we have structured our courses in tune with modern pedagogical practices and the short attention span on the learners in order to offer an engaging and immersive learning experience.
Get Learning Academy LMS:- The virtual training sessions for the Upstream Oil and Gas sector are delivered through our own Learning Management System (LMS), Get Learning Academy (GLA). Through this LMS, the instructors lead 3 to 5 hours seminars on all types of courses for the Upstream Oil and Gas sector from basic to mastery, allowing trainees to hone their skills and competencies while also building on their knowledge. Before the training, the instructor shares links to these online modules to set the foundation with the learners and prepare them for the discussion ahead. At the beginning of each session the instructor sets out the goals for the training and then takes the learners through the module. The GLA offers several collaborative and communication tools that allow peer to peer, and instructor and learners communication in real-time.
In Conclusion:- Virtual training gained significant traction during the COVID 19 pandemic and is here to stay even with the workforce returning to their offices. Online Training in the Oil & Gas Industry is even more important as it helps to address the issue of workers safety while also enabling them to practice in simulated environments. Well-trained instructors lead the training sessions and online collaboration and communication tools help to ensure real-time interaction between the instructors and the learners. Finally, keeping in mind the busy schedules of the learners, courses are structured in short modules of about 30 minutes each. However, for the more complex concepts, we have 3 to 4 hour webinars to achieve optimum learning outcomes.
