Why e-learning? e-learning offers advantages that are more suitable to ACST’s structure than classical teaching methods. Due to ACST’s wide range of activity areas, the scope of their training areas is very varied and needs to be updated almost every year. On the other hand, the developments in the market force us to develop our human resources rapidly and continuously. Moreover, those that have to take part in this training are located all over the country.
Therefore, despite all the efforts of the trainers, the investment and expenses made a continuous, comprehensive, up to date and controllable training using classical methods was impossible. Despite all these difficulties, the fact that Alarko puts major emphasis on training and the resulting accumulation, that we have come to share Carrier’s 100 years of technologic accumulation following our partnership with Carrier, and our collaboration with Toshiba, an influential company in the training area, earned us an important training potential. We first got interested in e-learning in 2004 in order to make use of our accumulation and potential. However, at the time the conditions and technology did not allow us to realize our project. Today, we were able to start Alarko Carrier ACademi as a result of the level reached in e-learning both technologically and in content. Now, in 2009, our authorized dealers and services, whether they are anywhere in Turkey or even abroad can get up-to-date and comprehensive training wherever they are and at any convenient time and if needed, get help from their training advisor, or from their system manager if they encounter difficulties related to the system. They will be able to watch hands-on training as films and form groups with their colleagues to discuss problems. And all this will be possible at a lesser cost and with less effort.
Who will participate? The Company’s employees, authorized dealers in Turkey and abroad and service staff will be able to participate in this program.
What subjects will the training program deal with?Technical subjects such as heating, air conditioning, water pressurizing and automatic control which are found within the range Alarko Carrier areas’s act will be included in the program. In addition, there are corporate training programs related to personal development and orientation.
The application: Training will be either compulsory or optional. The basic or corporate training prepared for those who start work at the company, the dealers or services for the first time is compulsory. Training management determines a period of time in which the training must be completed. The students have to complete the given training within this period and succeed in the test given to qualify for the next lesson. On completion of the whole program, the trainee is given a certificate that is valid within the Alarko Carrier set up. On the other hand, those employees who want to take the optional program can apply for a lesson. If their request is accepted, they can take the lesson following a preliminary test if necessary.
What sort of e-learning? ACademi is an e-learning platform on internet only. A first in its sector. The lessons and tests are conducted on internet. It also enables students to communicate with their advisors at all times, form groups, and share their experiences on a different platform. Training can be watched closely thanks to the comprehensive reporting facility of ACademi.
All information regarding the student is kept on a data base. The “Idea e-learning” system of Oysis, the IT company of Oyak, is used for this purpose. Oysis makes the necessary revisions on its training platform to meet the requests of ACademi. The training programs are applied with animated audio slides and films. All the relevant documents are produced at Alarko Carrier Documentation Center and are compatible with international e-learning standards.
How is the curriculum prepared? The curriculum scope is very broad. The programs of Carrier University and Toshiba Training Center were used as a basis in the area of air conditioners. Alarko Carrier prepares the curriculum on heating and the other subjects. The structure of the program is totally modular and on lesson basis. Lessons can be taken individually or form classes by combining them in different ways. Technical training programs are conducted on three main levels: “basic, improvement and advanced”. In addition, special professional and general culture training according to the individual’s position and duties is aimed for in personal development programs.
When will ACademi start training? The first lesson was held in May. A trial pilot training course was conducted for authorized dealers selected in April. The impressions of participants were very positive. The shortcomings of the system were determined and are being corrected rapidly. The lessons are being prepared in order of priority given to basic tendencies. The first lesson is “Basic Training” for service staff of personal air conditioner authorized dealers. All service staff will participate in this compulsory program and will earn a certificate according to examination results. Practical failure maintenance films are also being prepared for service staff. As we are in the summer season, product based technical training for air conditioners will be added to the program first. This training will be followed by Basic Training in Heating and the others. The “Air Conditioner Basic Training” and Carrier’s Technical Development Program for engineers previously applied in the classical method is being prepared as an “Engineering Development” course. This will be followed by “Advanced Engineering” trainings. Programming of orientation and career training will be conducted in conjunction with Human Resources. A major part of the curriculum will be ready by the end of 2009.
