Improving the proficiency of your personnel will outperform any
other single improvement you can make in your CNC environment.
Do
you want less scrap? Well-trained CNC operators don't make mistakes that scrap
parts. Do you want more efficient setups? Well-trained setup people don't waste
time trying to figure out how setups are supposed to be made. Do you want your
CNC programs to run faster? Well-trained programmers take full advantage of the
latest in time-saving technology. And in general, do you want higher profits?
Well-trained people will dramatically outperform poorly trained people.
While everyone will freely agree with the statements just made, it's amazing
how many excuses are given for not involving people to training courses. Two
common excuses are related to how well the company is currently doing. If times
are slow, "we can't afford the cost of the training program".
If times are good, "every person is too busy for us to let anyone take
time out for a course". The reality of the matter is that it's always
the right time to train. When times are slow, it's the perfect time to train
people because there is ample time - and they'll perform better when times pick
up. When times are good, it's also the perfect time to train people because you
can now easily afford the cost.
When it comes right down to it, it's simply a matter of choice. Either
you choose to help your people to improve or you choose not to help them
improve. Given the benefits that can be reaped by improving proficiency,
this should be a very easy choice indeed.
I've heard more than one manager say "If I train my people, they may
leave the company for better paying jobs." Well, if you don't train your
people, there is still no guarantee that they'll stay with you - and how much
can a poorly trained workforce really help your company? If your company is not
competitive with its wages and benefits, you're going to have problems
attracting and keeping the best people regardless of how much training you
provide.
You're company has committed large resources to be in business. Just
consider the total value of your company. Include land, buildings, machine
tools, computers, personnel costs, and all other company assets. Now consider
the amount per year you spend to ensure that your people - the very people
who control your company's destiny - fully understand their
responsibilities. And I'm not talking about just making do. I'm talking about
having people that are fully versed with the tasks that they are assigned to
do, and can perform them in as efficient a manner as possible. If you expect to
stay in business, you can't afford not to maintain and improve the proficiency
of your workers.
This web site is filled with products and
services that can help you improve
the proficiency of your CNC workforce, regardless of their current level. Some
items are aimed at basic training while others cover more advanced topics.
You'll find video courses,
CD-rom courses,
books, and even Internet-based live
training courses. Each is reasonably priced and allows students to work at
their own pace. Given the high cost of CNC machine tool usage, each investment
you make will likely pay for itself within the first few weeks of purchase!
