Mr. Weiß, numerous plant operators from all over the world use the training services offered by SMS TECademy. What makes the academy so unique?
Karsten Weiß: SMS TECademy is an internationally active training academy for the staff of our customers. Apart from organizing training courses for new plants, the academy also offers a number of specialized training courses on selected topics such as technology, servicing and plant engineering. Individual training tailored to the needs and wants of our customers complements the range of services. With our training concepts we are able to train the plant personnel at an early stage. SMS TECademy provides a wide array of training courses, also as refresher trainings, and in modern formats such as e-learning or live webinars.
Steel Dynamics, Inc. is using the SMS TECademy offer for its new steelworks complex in Sinton, Texas.
Karsten Weiß: This is true. For the period from November 2020 to June 2021, almost 400 courses have been scheduled to train SDI‘s staff, also in our Digital Classroom. Here, virtual maintenance operations can be practiced before the real plant has been set up, which is an enormous advantage for rapidly starting plant operation. To SDI, we are additionally providing our proven classroom training. For this purpose, SMS TECademy operates four recording studios that can be used in parallel. The special feature here is that our coaches and experts teach from Germany or other SMS group locations worldwide while the SDI participants sit in the U.S.A. and experience the training live. As requested by the customer, all training courses are additionally being recorded to have them available for future use. Thanks to an excellent communication infrastructure, the transmission quality of these trainings is consistently good.
Which further advantages does this type of classroom training offer?
Karsten Weiß: Initially, the virtual training concept was developed due to the current travel restrictions. But, I would like to particularly emphasize the cost factor. Selecting this type of classroom training, the customer saves time and expenses for travelling.