Original Date: 08/07/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems (LMTAS) recognizes the need for increased productivity and efficiency, and one critical way to achieve this need is to develop and maintain a well-trained and motivated work force. Time and budget constraints have demanded an alternative to traditional classroom training. LMTAS believes that it is the responsibility of the employee to strive for professional and personal development. In an attempt to address the issue of decreasing training dollars and to assist its employees in personal development, the company has devised an innovative solution that satisfies both needs.

The Research and Engineering division of LMTAS has developed a learning resource center which does not focus exclusively on instructor-led training. This center contains 10 PCS, 6 of which have interactive disk capability and CD ROM capability. An extensive library of the latest and most needed training aids (course materials, videodisk, and videotape) is maintained and is available for use by all employees. One advantage of this teaching media is that the courseware is recyclable and upgradeable. Another advantage for both the employee and LMTAS is that the videotape series can be checked out by the employee and used at home as required.

There are many financial benefits derived by LMTAS from this type of learning center. Training is completed in 60% less time than traditional instructor-led training. The training cost is lowered by as much as 39%. Seventy-one percent of the 1995 training was completed on employees’ personal time either at home or during working hours, leaving LMTAS with an average savings of $16K per month.

The employees have also benefitted from this type of training opportunity in that they have access to a wider variety of subjects, can retain more information (long- and short-term), and the training is more just-in-time than instructor- led.

With the establishment of this learning resource center, LMTAS maintains that its has built a strong, well-trained work force, delivered alternative training on major topics, reduced long-term training cost and consequently passed these savings on to its customers. Future plans for the center include continued upgrades and just-in-time, on-line delivery of courseware, scheduling information, and training histories directly to the employees’ desktop.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.