TRAINING & SIMS
Paul Moore caught up with Don Duval , NORCAT CEO , on its unique capabilities and experience in developing and delivering training content , solutions and outcomes
NORCAT has been in the business of offering training and development programs for mining for over 25 years . Duval stated : “ Our role in mining is first in the development side of training - understanding the pedagogical elements of building the right learning curriculum and content to achieve our client ’ s desired learning outcomes . But our role also extends to the training delivery side of the equation where we can offer our clients customised , integrated and engaging blended learning programs that effectively and efficiently meet their unique needs ."
NORCAT uses a quadrant training delivery model – which reflects the fact that there are various methods to deliver training content safely and costeffectively . These methods include engaged on-line learning , instructor-led classroom training , hands-on in-the-field training , and utilising learning technologies such as VR , AR and simulation tools . “ Building the right content and providing optionality in how that training content is delivered is critical to achieving sustainable learning outcomes and knowledge retention . Proudly , NORCAT is the only training and development organisation in the world that owns and operates an underground mine that provides a hands-on experiential learning environment . Furthermore , our continued investments and deployment of VR , AR and simulation-based training is demonstrating the value of integrating learning technologies to support skilled labour training around the world .”
Over the past five years , NORCAT has also been able to scale from primarily serving the Canadian market to now being a global leader for several reasons . “ The depth and breadth of our team , our speed to market , our unique assets , our investment in emerging learning technologies , and our longstanding quality of service with global mining companies , collectively positions us as the global one-stop shop for all that is the future of training and development for the global mining industry ” cites Duval . To validate this , one of the metrics that stands out in NORCAT ’ s feedback surveys is the question to trainees if they would recommend the training programs to peers and colleagues . The responses have consistently trended over 99.5 % year-on-year across all programs and geographies that NORCAT serves .
NORCAT ’ s market entry into Latin America has been particularly successful and has focussed on building cooperation with local training delivery partners . It has completed projects for mining customers in Argentina , Ecuador , Colombia , Chile and Peru and opened a NORCAT office in Santiago ,
Chile in 2019 . “ We work fortunate to work with an array of quality partners including AMI - Asesorías Mineras Integrales based in La Serena , Coquimbo in Chile . They are a leading training and development organisation with a strong focus on mining . Our partnership combines NORCAT ’ s catalogue of training content , best practices , and program design expertise with the training delivery resources of AMI .”
On COVID-19 Duval said that over the last six months NORCAT has seen a dramatic increase in demand for training and development solutions that can be delivered effectively remotely . " There has been a steady migration to utilise virtual platforms ( such as Zoom ) to deliver classroom-based training , especially for NORCAT ’ s supervisor and train-thetrainer programs . Concurrent to that , there has been a significant increase in demand from mining companies to understand opportunities to effectively integrate VR , AR and equipment simulation training into their broader learning and development strategies ."
Recently , NORCAT launched a multi-year project with Glencore , Vale and contract miner Technica Mining in Canada in conjunction with the Future Skills Centre at Ryerson University . The project is focused on getting new or existing skilled labour workers to a better level of competency and confidence in a shorter timeframe , in a less expensive manner , and via a more engaging & inspiring method versus status quo educational methods . The main component is to develop & deploy unique , demand-driven , and blended learning training programs for three pieces of mechanised equipment : LHD , utility vehicle and scissor deck . For each , NORCAT is developing and delivering a short training program that integrates eLearning , VR , equipment simulation training and in-the-field competency validation in an operating mine .
The project also aims to better understand how to quantify specific training learning outcomes with the integration of VR & equipment simulation training . “ Many of our mining clients around the world are asking important questions – what role can VR / simulation training play in our broader training strategy ? Is it cost effective ? How do the trainees engage and feel about the technology ? Are they able to retain the knowledge better if the experience is more engaging and inspiring ? With this project , we are embarking on a mandate to answer these questions and help the broader skilled labour industries understand what the future of work and learning might look like ."
That said Duval reiterated that there is absolutely still a place for conventional training methods such as instructor-led training . “ As an example , for new operators learning a mechanised piece of equipment you can appreciate the value of starting the program with an instructor to walk-through and discuss the operating specifications of the equipment . Upon completion of that , the trainee could benefit from using VR to learn how to complete a pre-operational circle check . Post that , the trainee could spend three to four days completing multiple runs on the equipment in a simulator with intermittent VR circle checks scattered over those days . Finally , said trainee could migrate to the NORCAT Underground Centre and receive hands-on experiential training on that same equipment , but in an operating mine environment under the mentorship of an experienced operator . Understanding the nuances of program design and blended learning delivery is critical to achieving the desired learning outcomes .”
Duval added that the value of integrating and deploying VR and AR training options in the mining industry was not only based on safety or cost drivers . “ The global mining industry is undergoing a technology transformation unlike any time in its history . Concurrently , and more specifically in Canada , there is a forecasted labour shortage that projects the need for 90,000-110,000 people to work in our mining industry over the next ten years . Exacerbating this is the declining interest of new generations of would-be miners to work in what is perceived as an outdated industry . Mining companies are quickly learning that compensation , while important , is no longer the exclusive driver to incentivise skilled labour . Quite simply - mining companies that invest in both innovative technology and meaningful training and development programs will not only win the economic battle , but also they will win the battle for talent . Creating jobs that enable workers to use and engage with new technologies , operate mechanised equipment using teleremote systems , deploy technologies that minimise environmental impact & continuously learn and grow via creative learning technologies are integral considerations for mining companies seeking to win the battle to recruit and retain top talent .”
66 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020