NAHETS Introduces iPod, “An Instructor in a Pocket,” for Heavy Equipment Training

The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS) is introducing a new training tool for heavy equipment operators called, “An instructor in a pocket.” This method of training allows NAHETS heavy equipment students to receive instruction in video format via Apple iPods. The iPods will be used at the Nevada School of Construction (NVSC), as well as all NAHETS member schools.

Purpose. The purpose behind this training tool is to provide students with a visual learning resource to help them better remember their tasks and ultimately increase performance on heavy equipment operation. The iPod training tool (a.k.a. “an instructor in a pocket”) will ensure NAHETS students are beyond the curve in technology and learning resources for heavy equipment operation instruction.

Content. The iPod videos will have a series for each type of heavy equipment at the school. Currently, the skid steer series is available, with more to come. On each video series, an instructor takes the student through basic and advanced drills to show students what training objectives they need to complete and how to complete them.

Origin. The “instructor in a pocket” idea originally came from Matt Klabacka, executive director of NAHETS, and Rhett Nielson, media and creative director. They discovered the idea as they were working together with Chris Cannon, director of training and curriculum development, in implementing the Yellow Metal Boot Camp Program, unique to the construction and heavy equipment industry. They envisioned heavy equipment training beyond the traditional textbook, class room, and on-site instruction . . .

Yellow Metal Boot Camp Program. Yellow Metal Boot Camp is the “technology meets heavy equipment operating” curriculum created and implemented by NAHETS:

• Manuals
• DVDs
• Drill cards
• Online “hot tips” videos
• iPod podcast videos

The iPod training tool focuses on the “read, see, and do” NAHETS Yellow Metal Boot Camp philosophy of construction equipment training:

• “Read” it and forget it (textbooks, etc.)
• “See” it and remember it (iPod videos)
• “Do” it and understand (on-site heavy equipment)

iPod Details. Each student who enrolls with any of the NAHETS schools will receive a 4 GB Video iPod Nano. Students are told how to access the private URL links that give them the location of the podcasts to download onto their iPods. Students will use campus computers to download everything into iTunes and then sync onto their iPods. The students can frequently use these videos while attending NAHETS schools and also watch them in the future as they begin new jobs or need to brush up on certain skills. In other words, the “instructor in a pocket” provides a lifetime of instruction.

Staff Operates the Yellow Metal

We recently had our staff members here at the Nevada School of Construction (NVSC) participate in a heavy equipment field day, where they each spent time operating a piece of heavy equipment: backhoes, excavators, bulldozers, etc. The purpose behind the activity was to have the staff get their feet wet and experience heavy equipment operating first hand. Although the staff are devoted to their job tasks, many of them do not get to spend much time around the actual pieces of equipment, as many of their responsibilities take place behind the scenes. But this field day gave them a real opportunity to become better acquainted with the services provided by our campus, and also better relate to the students who spend everyday training on the heavy equipment. Each staff member was accompanied by a licensed NVSC instructor to ensure that the standards and safety procedures of heavy equipment operating were met. Spending time one on one with the instructors also increased the staff members’ knowledge of heavy equipment operating. It was a very beneficial and enjoyable activity, and we look forward to more events like this.