MEA Energy Association (MEA) is launching a new program for trainers, facilitators, and instructors in the energy industry. The aptly named Skills for Effective Training will be hosted for the first time on October 23, 2019 at the MEA Training Center in Bloomington, Minn. MEA will bring the training in-house to Peoples Gas and other utilities starting November 13, 2019.
Utilities across the country are prioritizing the transfer of knowledge from longtime field employees with specific expertise to new and existing crew members who are lacking on-the-job experience. MEA created Skills for Effective Training to help natural gas and electric distribution field experts become trainers.
“Our members are facing a skills gap due to a large number of retiring Baby Boomers,” says MEA President Patrick Van Beek. “Newly hired employees need training and new trainers must be ready to bring their field experience into the classroom.”
Trainers and instructors must have practical facilitation skills to effectively teach adult learners. The one-day class creates a foundation for trainers to build upon; participants will leave with a solid understanding of trainer expectations and basic knowledge of adult learning styles.
The class is designed for 12-25 participants and includes workbook-based lesson plans and interactive exercises. Units include: facilitation basics, adult learning styles, training people different than you, training styles, and encouraging learner engagement.
Learn more at MEAenergy.org/events or contact Mark Bechtel, markb (at) MEAenergy (dot) org, or (651) 289-9600 x109 to bring the training to your company.
About MEA:
MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. We were founded as a trade association over 110 years ago by distribution utilities whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, we fulfill the same purpose through education, leadership development, and industry connections. Energy delivery companies, contractors, and suppliers around the country benefit from our 55 summits, roundtables, and webinars, 400+ online technical courses, safety assessments, evaluator training, operator qualification compliance tools, and leadership courses for field personnel.