Companies turn to digital training to deliver efficient operations

The persistent threat of rolling lockdown measures and long-term social distancing is forcing the oil and gas sector to rethink how it provides technical training to its teams around the globe.

Companies are under increasing pressure to find a sustainable and cost-effective solution to retaining and improving knowledge and skills in preparation for the sector’s recovery. With teams currently either furloughed or all but key workers working from home, the industry is increasingly embracing digital training.

Online learning provides organisations with the flexibility to scale-up tailored training programmes from small, regional teams to a global scale without the additional costs of travel and accommodation. It can be undertaken to fit in around operational requirements while training can also be audited to identify further competency gaps as well as strengths. Not only can employers track which modules have been completed but they can also monitor how long a learner has spent on a module, how many question attempts were made, and how results compare across an organisation.

But what sets digital training apart from the traditional classroom-based approach is its blended, continuous approach. In-person training is often designed as an ad-hoc, full day of training which has been proven to be ineffective at ensuring long term knowledge retention. Research has shown that while approximately 70% of all new knowledge is lost within the first 24 hours, eLearning can boost this retention by 60%.

A digital approach provides on-going, bite-sized content using a mix of mediums such as animations, quizzes, videos, and 3D scenarios. By sharing training content in different ways, information is repeated, reinforced, and remembered. This “spaced learning” approach has been proven to boost knowledge retention by more than 50%.

The gamification of training is also transforming e-learning with elements from the cutting-edge gaming industry now being leveraged to supercharge the learning experience. Norwell EDGE has recently launched a series of 3D user-controlled training scenarios that align with our online modules. These enable learners to apply their new skills and knowledge in a virtual wellsite environment. This allows people to fail safely.

Combining different learning techniques also improves learner motivation and increases the likelihood that they will stay the course. Training becomes fun and interesting rather than being a chore, or something that must be completed simply to tick a box.

Norwell EDGE was developed with flexibility in mind. Our click and mix modules allow organisations and individuals to build their own training programme to meet their learning needs while bite-sized content avoids information overload. All content is aligned with Oil and Gas UK’s wells competency guidelines to support our global industry in the drive to improve skills and safe operations.

Training remains one area where our industry has been slow to embrace digital transformation. But as the pandemic accelerates digitalisation, companies are increasingly recognising that a modern approach to training is needed to ensure that as they move forward their personnel continue to develop capability, boost operational efficiency, and drive up safety standards.

*First published by Oil and Gas Vision magazine