Self-paced e-learning has been part of the public consciousness for a few decades now. In fact, the idea was popular even before the internet was commonplace, when courses were delivered to users on compact disks. Although the premise is simple, there’s a good reason e-learning has persisted and evolved with the available technology, even as other remote training options have also become available. E-learning is a flexible and uniquely scalable training delivery method for subjects like metrology and calibration training, which makes it a practical choice for large organizations where many employees need to learn the same information in a standardized way. Unlike with instructor-led training, any employee can take e-learning courses at any time, rather than waiting for a scheduled class. Further, the organization can be certain that the training for all employees across is consistent, even if it is accessed at different times and in different locations. A2LA WorkPlace Training clients have put e-learning to use in an incredible array of industries, and it has proven especially popular for large-scale applications in the aerospace field.

Perhaps the best-known organization currently using AWPT e-learning is NASA. NASA’s enterprise license covers eleven locations and is set up so that anyone with a NASA email can take e-learning courses on demand. According to the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, they primarily use the courses to train new hires, especially new engineers, technicians, and laboratory personnel. Because the same courses are used across all NASA centers and are very easy to access, they provide foundational measurement and calibration training for the highly sensitive and highly precise work NASA requires. NASA has been an e-learning customer for many years, but they are not alone in how they utilize this training delivery method. 

When they first pursued e-learning options, Raytheon selected four modules to use for employee training at an airbase in Europe, where Raytheon managed a laboratory for the US Air Force. They quickly realized how efficient and effective the e-learning modules were and began progressively expanding their licensing to provide AWPT e-learning courses at other Raytheon labs and business units. Ultimately, they decided on an enterprise license that allowed them to host AWPT e-learning courses on their own online learning portal, Raytheon Learning Institute. They first selected five modules to host on the company intranet, and a year later they added an additional five. These courses were made available to every Raytheon employee in the relevant departments. 

Another example of this type of large-scale e-learning application is with Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin first pursued calibration training on an as-needed basis, with individual labs purchasing site licenses for the specific metrology courses they needed. Employee training was a frequent topic of discussion when Lockheed Martin’s labs met for their Corporate Metrology Panel, and lab managers began sharing their positive experiences with A2LA Workplace Training’s e-learning offerings. Representatives from A2LA WorkPlace Training were invited to attend one of Lockheed Martin’s panels to present options for more widespread use of e-learning modules across business units. AWPT now provides courses through Lockheed Martin’s internal network, “The Knowledge Network,” and these courses are used to supplement on-the-job training and document individual employees’ training progress. 

As anyone working in measurement or calibration knows, consistency and reliability of methods is crucial, and having a single well-designed training tool that can be applied across a large organization is an excellent way to ensure that sort of consistency. The graded assessments and completion tracking built into AWPT e-learning also help to ensure that training is completed, and information is retained for on-the-job application. Beyond these advantages, e-learning is also logistically convenient and very cost-effective when applied on a large scale. These organizations are only a few examples of how e-learning can be utilized; for more information about e-learning applications ranging from individual to enterprise, contact us or visit A2LAWPT.org/e-learning.