AWWA DSS63733

Before Knowledge Management Systems became a part of common corporate discussions, EPCOR implemented an intranet training program and today, after three design evolutions, it has become the number one hit site in EPCOR Water Services. In 1999, EPCOR identified three areas of concern: the availability to valid written procedures; the need for a formal training program; and, more rigorous due diligence requirements that necessitated a better method to track training. Many online training systems had not been successful and we believed the solution was to evaluate the needs of EPCOR and the user to better define our program. The training program uses a four-step approach to the learning process. A walkthrough to describe the operating philosophy of the system is completed with a training operator. The user is then coached to read the online content. Online quizzes are developed to test the operator's knowledge of the procedures and results are automatically tracked in the training database. The final step is a formal practical to evaluate competency. Once the site was established, EPCOR applied for and was awarded Continuing Education Units from Alberta Environment on applicable portions of the Training Systems program. The documentation management system reduces manual tracking and makes the results accessible over the intranet to the user. The balance of online training with practical training offers the best of both worlds, effective use of computer tools reinforced by guided hands-on practice in the work environment. Includes table, figures.