2001 McCARL'S INC. CHALLENGE
As part of PPL's continuing improvement of their employees and
operations, McCarlÕs Inc. has designed and implemented the McCarl Way®
University, an in-house training program. PPL must constantly look
for new and creative ways to conduct training. Considering the current
technology available, PPL is looking at the possibility of Web based training.
PPL is looking to get the best training for all employees in the most cost-effective
manner. The problem is (1) whether or not to utilize Web based training
and (2) which courses could be conducted effectively by using this method
of training.
Background Information:
McCarlÕs Inc., part of the PPL Corp. family of companies, is a mechanical
contractor based in Beaver Falls, PA.
There is a state-of-the art classroom located at our main office.
All desks have hookups for computers w/Internet and telephone capabilities.
The classroom also has a Touch Board, White Board, Flip Charts, and Light
Pro for computer and video presentations. This classroom is set up
as each class is conducted and used as a meeting room when not in use for
training. In addition, there is a one-station learning center available
at this same location with a computer and TV/VCR available.
All employees are required to attend three courses a year. Specific
courses are recommended on each employee's yearly performance evaluation.
We believe linking training to performance builds a better McCarlÕs team
player.
We have two basic groups of employees. The Office & Salaried
employees mostly work in the main office. Within that group are the
Management Team who often spends 50% or more of their time out of the office
in meetings, etc. and other specialized positions (Project Managers &
Estimators) who often spend 60% or more of their time out of the office
visiting job sites. The second group is the Field employees (comprised
of job site supervisors and personnel) whom are considered union employees,
but are on our payroll.
Courses are divided into Professional and Technical topics. The
following list is an example of courses conducted:
Professional
Communication Skills, Time Management, Presentation Skills, Foreman
Training, Understanding Financial Statements, Margin Aggression, Motivation,
Dr. CoveyÕs ÒSeven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleÓ
Technical
Safety: START Program Ð Supervisor, Training in Accident Reduction
Techniques, OSHA
Training, Innovative Piping Systems Ð Victaulic, QuickPen Mechanical
Estimating,
Computer Skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook 98,
Windows 95, 97,
Computer Troubleshooting, Computer Basics
Courses for McCarl Way® University are conducted by internal and
external instructors.
Courses are currently 1-4 hours in duration. The exception to
that is the ÒSeven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleÓ which would not be
available for Web-based training. Web-based training would be based
on an employee setting his or her own schedule to do the work so the duration
of the course would vary per person. We are not as concerned about
duration of each course as finding a program that will work for us.
Suggested Approaches/Considerations:
Employees in the field, as well as the Project Managers and Estimators,
have time and distance constraints that make attending classes difficult.
Courses are conducted primarily during business hours. Consider how
web based training can relieve time constraints, without sacrificing the
quality of training. Also, the nature of our business makes it difficult
for our employees to schedule training in advance. Quite often an
employee (office or field) is scheduled for a course and then is unable
to attend as a result of a job received or an opportunity to bid on a job
that requires immediate attention.
The McCarl Way® University provides an opportunity for the office
and field personnel to communicate and interact during classes; therefore,
improving a better understanding of each other's role within the organization.
McCarl Way® University has improved morale and productivity within
the company.
Training is the key to the future of our company; without it we would
become extinct. We must constantly update our skills and knowledge
at a rate of 3% per month to stay current with the times. We would
be interested in data available on the most effective methods of training
various courses, specifically as it relates to web based training.
McCarlÕs Expectations
The student team is expected to research companies
and programs through the Internet, along with other resources, to find
the most cost effective and easiest program for McCarlÕs to implement and
integrate into the McCarl Way® University. This program can be
either one that can be customized to our company needs or one that is already
set up and purchased Òas isÓ through another company/vendor. If it
is plausible, we would like to consider looking at web-based training set
up through our website which our employees would access with a password.
For further information on McCarl's Inc. and our
training program, please refer to our website at www.mccarl.com.
Oral Presentation
If you are selected to give an oral presentation for this problem, the
presentation will be held at McCarlÕs Headquarters in Beaver Falls, PA.
You will be given directions and notified of the exact date and time later.
Please send any comments, additions, or suggestions about
this web site to
Dr. Dan Holt.
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