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The Ultimate Guide For Training Your Workers For New Technology Adoption

In the 21st century, technological advancements have enabled companies to increase efficiency whereas enhancing profitability. But these digital marvels also contributed significantly to alienating employees. In 2019, a survey revealed that 37% of people between 18-24 years of age were afraid of technology taking over their jobs. 

Similarly, Forbes has stated that 55% of employees are worried about automation rendering them jobless. What makes workers resist adopting technology? It might be the “fear of the unknown” that has made them oppose automation. The solution lies in training them properly so they may understand how technology helps them become better employees. Here, we’ll explain how this training is achievable:

Steps to help your workers adopt new tech

  • Create a technology roadmap

It isn’t practical to merely install software programs on an employee’s computer and expect them to become familiar with it. Companies should establish a “technology roadmap” that involves their workers’ training to accelerate technology adoption. This roadmap ensures that employees receive enough time to adjust to new tech. It’ll make them less stressed/worried about adopting innovative software applications. By creating a roadmap, you can allocate time for meetings where workers discuss their problems with these programs. So, this “fear of the unknown” will dissipate. Don’t forget to implement this roadmap properly to receive effective results in the end. You could also check out this blog for more information. 

  • Choose the right degree

It’s essential to choose the right degree for your workers based on their different expertise. Some employees require only the basic tech-related know-how, while others can acquire higher education. So, you can motivate some workers to pursue MBA in information technology management to hone their digital acumen. This degree prepares them for roles such as CIO and CTO in your organization. After earning an MBA-IT, an employee can also become an in-house company trainer for other workers.

  • Offer some incentives

It isn’t enough to offer them training opportunities when you haven’t incentivized this extra learning for your employees. Make this experience joyful and beneficial for a worker by providing monetary benefits. Delegate more responsibilities to them and offer rewards if they upskill themselves. We’ve observed that “tech skills” shall become necessary to survive in the future marketplace. Moreover, give constructive feedback to motivate employees and encourage them to hasten their learning.

  • Be patient with them

You can’t expect employees to learn using a software application in a few classes. Sometimes, you’ll have to wait for several months before the entire workforce becomes familiar with an application. It seems proper to be patient with them and introduce these new concepts gradually. Don’t make the training overwhelming for your employees. Give them information in bite-size chunks so they may digest this education properly. Also, don’t expect all your employees to be some sort of whizkids.

  • Use how-to videos

Adding visual elements to anything makes it easier to remember. Statistics show that people remember 80% of what they’ve seen while 20% of what they’ve read. So, you can create some how-to videos for your employees. It’ll help them understand how the new software program works and what advantages it brings to the table. Make this video content brief (five minutes long at most) to make information easier to handle. These videos will permit trainers to become better teachers.

  • Train small groups

While some companies insist on training the entire staff simultaneously, we suggest dividing them into smaller groups. It’ll make training more effective, invite more employees to participate, and allow trainers to explain complex concepts quickly. Psychologists believe that smaller groups motivate people to engage and draw out individuals who won’t speak before a larger audience. They address challenges in students’ understanding effectively as well while training employees in small groups.

  • Pair them with mentors

Don’t forget to pair your employees with some mentors for quick learning. These mentors should be tech-friendly individuals with enough expertise to your workers how to operate a particular program. It will enable employees to have someone with they may discuss challenges facing them while using that software application. These mentors will also help them retain the information taught by trainers. People tend to learn faster when they have someone to depend upon during education. Research best practices on how to get started with building a mentoring program that’s destined for success. 

  • Explain the advantages

A LinkedIn survey published in 2018 shows why technology adoption fails at workplaces and turns this failure into success. One reason why workers are hesitant about technology deals with their ignorance of its benefits. How does it help me become better at my job? Unless they know how these tools make them more productive, they won’t be motivated to undergo training. Boomers, especially, need people to explain to them the benefits of adopting new tech. Have an open chat with them to get the desired results.

Conclusion

It shouldn’t be challenging to make workers understand how technology makes them more productive. But we have 63% of managers complaining that technological adoption at their workplace isn’t fast enough! How do you make skeptical employees more motivated about “going digital”? There are some methods to convince them, such as offering incentives, providing mentorship opportunities, and making learning interactive. Give workers some room for failure, and also don’t forget to break training into small steps for easy understanding. These practices will enable employees to adopt new technology willingly while monitoring their progress. Consequently, your workforce shall become upskilled and more organized.

Career Guide: Becoming an AC Technician in 6 Steps

Air conditioning technicians regularly work with cooling systems and may have expertise in handling heating and ventilation systems. Basic knowledge of how to properly dispose-off coolants as well as a good understanding of state-specific regulations is a prerequisite for this job. As a technician, you can either be self-employed or work for public or private institutions.

 

What AC Technicians Do

Your job as an air conditioning contractor typically involves installing, maintaining, and repairing the electrical equipment, the ductwork, and the controls found in residential and industrial cooling systems. 

Depending on the problem you have been called to address, your job may be indoor or outdoor based. As an air conditioning technician, you might need to travel to perform on-site repairs in warm or cold environments.

However, before you go long into the AC technician profession, bear in mind that the operation of the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems comes with its own high health risks and injury. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career requirements needed to work as an AC technician includes:

 

  • Post-secondary education or training with the evidence of a certificate, associate degree, or apprenticeship in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
  • 2 years experience in the field of HVAC
  • Mandatory refrigerant handling certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • State-mandated licensing and other voluntary professional certification
  • Possession of skills such as physical strength, good hand-eye coordination, customer service, troubleshooting, time management, ability to use specialized HVAC equipment like power tools, air gauges, refrigerants, pressure meters, power hacksaws, and voltage meters

 

While apprenticeship is a basic requirement to becoming an AC technician, a lot of other requirements are obviously needed and are paramount to securing those HVAC and Refrigeration Training.

Take a look at the 6 basic steps you must follow to becoming a successful AC technician: 

Step I: Complete A Formal Training in HVAC

As earlier stated, to have an edge in the AC engineer’s workspace, you will need to have completed some form of formal training; be it apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, or associate degree programs. 

It is incomplete to simply have extensive work experience in HVAC operations without going through any of the formal programs.

While you could still be employed without them depending on the company, there is every chance you will be dropped once a person who has all matching criteria submits an application. Within 3 to 5 years, an HVAC apprenticeship should have been completed. Certificate programs require a year of full-time study whereas associate degree programs will take you about 2 years to complete. Some of the courses you’ll be studying include basic electricity, control wiring, sheet metal fabrication, and refrigeration.

It is always a good idea to take elective courses in computer science and electronics as AC technicians who are skilled in working with complex electronics and computer systems are always a hot-cake in the HVAC job market. 

Courses covering topics like micro processing, industrial electronics, digital circuitry, and engineering mathematics would be a plus. 

Step II: Earn Your EPA Certification

You will be needing the EPA certification in order to operate as an AC technician. The federal law necessitates AC contractors who work with refrigerants to undertake certification exams that are specially prepared to ensure that the AC expert can safely handle these materials. 

Exam topics would usually include shipping and disposal for high-pressure refrigerants, low-pressure refrigerants, or small appliances, refrigerant recovery as well as recycling. 

There are a number of EPA-approved technical schools and colleges that easily provide such certification exams.

Step III: Acquire Work Experience

Different employers have different requirements in terms of your years of experience in HVAC operations. Basically, most employers won’t be looking for anything less than 2 years. 

Many states also require you to provide your work experience as a prerequisite for obtaining a state license. Where some states are okay with 2 years, others may request for up to 7 years of work experience especially for those who didn’t undergo or who didn’t complete a formal training program. 

To meet this kind of requirement, it is usual for would-be AC technicians to get an entry-level job working alongside already established technicians with a popular company name.

Step IV: Get Your License

Different states will often ask that certain criteria be met for licenses to be given. Such criteria are unique to each state, but all of them would always require that air conditioning technicians pass a licensing exam after they must have provided a satisfactory work experience. 

Some states mandate that you undergo and pass criminal background checks and also require that you have liability insurance or performance bonds. Minimum age requirements are also checked.

Some state licensing panels require that air conditioning technicians complete 4 hours of continuing education before a license renewal is approved. You may need to check requirements peculiar to your state.

Step V: Advance Your Career by Earning Professional Certification

Getting more professional certification is necessary for boosting your career opportunities and employability as an AC technician.

Professional associations, such as the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and HVAC Excellence, give much-needed credentials to AC technicians who are able to meet work experience requirements and get acceptable scores in their specialized exams.

Step VI: Build On Your Skills

You’re an air conditioning technician and have been fully trained to install, repair, and maintain the ductwork, electrical equipment, and controls found in cooling systems. 

You most likely already have post-secondary training, EPA certificates, and state-mandated licenses. However, you haven’t gotten there yet. Like every other profession, you are expected to build on your skills to make you a better operator. You’re expected to be strong, with good customer service skills and the ability to handle and use the latest tools that are relevant to fixing faults or installing HVAC systems.

Getting the most out of your career path is essential to fulfilling your dreams and have the feeling of achievement. Hence, always strive to get the latest info and updates that will keep you one step ahead.