Original Date: 10/10/2005
Revision Date: / /

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Center for Continuous Learning offers quality training and re-certification in a timely manner to all employees. By combining classroom training with lean concepts, employees are able to acquire the knowledge and skills to “lean out” processes and eliminate waste.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) established the Center for Continuous Learning (CCL) in 1995 as a result of an agreement between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Raytheon Company that reduced the number of job classifications from approximately 450 to 50. Raytheon was chartered to develop learning solutions tailored to the new and expanded job classifications. The CCL evolved to provide the learning and development solutions directly aligned to business needs for all IDS operations and organizations outside of operations as needed.

Prior to the implementation of the CCL, training was offered to represented employees only, with emphasis on maintaining basic knowledge and skills. This training was identified via a hard copy CCL catalog that was published and distributed annually. Most training sessions were conducted informally and were primarily classroom-based, with a large student-to-teacher ratio. Not all training was captured. Certification tracking reports were published monthly and managed manually, with multiple methods used for storing training and certification records.

The Raytheon Six Sigma™ (R6σ) process was used to create an on-line curriculum administration feature using real- time course information and an on-line version of the CCL catalog. In addition to classroom-based training, course delivery methods were expanded to include on-line courses, computer classes, structured on-the-job (OJT) training, and just-in-time (JIT) experiential training. Raytheon’s current training process identifies compliance certification courses in the Learning Management System (LMS) using the Raytheon Learning Accelerator (RLA). The RLA tracks certifications and when they are due. All CCL training records are stored in a common Global Headquarters- (GHQ-) approved learning management system.

Through successful implementation of the on-line CCL, timely learning solutions have been tailored to meet department needs and provide training services for all payroll classifications. Multiple delivery methods have been made available, and provisions are established for repeatable methods of OJT. Curriculums are built on real-time data extracted from the current LMS. This also provides the capability to create Individual Development Plans (IDPs). Certification records are made accessible online to efficiently manage training certifications. Training records are captured in the LMS and are made available online throughout Raytheon. Checklists are quick and easy to develop. Ad hoc reports to manage certification expirations can be generated as needed. Training metrics can also be established with the on-line CCL.

The CCL on-line curriculum process has resulted in ongoing annual savings of approximately $40,300 for the Integrated Air Defense Center (IADC) facility. Future plans include the development of IDPs that will be rolled out to operations personnel and the development of an on-line competency model/curriculum process for management that initially targets front-line supervision.

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