Original Date: 08/26/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Recognizing the need for formal classroom training at Weirton Steel Corporation (WSC) in 1993, the company began working with West Virginia University to establish a program of formal classroom modules. This format allowed WSC to meet a wide range of training requirements.

Partly funded by a governor’s grant from the State of West Virginia, the company worked with West Virginia University to develop a set of 85 formal, classroom training modules. The program’s goal was to achieve a 90% retention level as a result of an active learning experience, rather than the typical 20% retained using standard read- and-hear classroom techniques.

Each training module, structured in 1 to 1½ hour sessions, covers a topic designed to meet employee needs. In addition, the company established a train-the-trainer program to ensure consistency with its employee instructors’ teaching methods. These instructors then conduct training for other employees in their area.

To ensure the quality of each training module, the company structured the module development to follow standardized formats which use Operations Department experts to generate the technical portions of each module. New modules are then required to meet both an Alpha Test and a Beta Test before the module becomes part of the company’s training program. The Alpha Test consists of a thorough review of the new module by a company team of non-experts, while the Beta Test is subsequently reviewed by subject-technical experts.

The company training program and modular training concept have proven so successful that both local businesses and WSC customers have requested not only training using WSC classroom materials, but also assistance from the WSC training group personnel to establish similar training programs at their companies.

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