Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk Podcast, featuring Ashley and Darren from Multi-Skill Training Services. Ashley, with 12 years at the company, focuses on client training programs, while Darren, a senior project engineer for 17 years, aligns training with customer needs. The company, in business for over 30 years, offers customized training tailored to specific industries and plant needs, including food and beverage, automotive, and chemical plants. They employ retired engineers with extensive experience and use an independent contractor model for instructors. The company also provides online assessments and refresher courses to ensure knowledge retention. They emphasize the importance of training to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving industry.

Action Items

• [ ] Reach out to Ashley Donahue on LinkedIn to learn more about the company's services.
• [ ] Contact Darren Gray from Multi Skill Training Services at [email protected] or on LinkedIn to discuss potential training needs.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their contributions.
• Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of asset management, reliability, and maintenance in the industry.
• The podcast is broadcasting live from the SMRP conference in Fort Worth, Texas, showcasing the gathering of professionals solving industry challenges.
• Scott mentions the presence of Ashley and Darren from Multi-Skill Training Services, who won the booth contest.

Background of Multi-Skill Training Services

• Ashley shares her background, mentioning her 12 years with Multi-Skill Training Services and her passion for helping clients find the right training programs.
• Darren introduces himself as a senior project engineer, responsible for aligning training with customer needs, including skills training, machinery-specific operator training, and world-class maintenance.
• Darren's background includes 20 years as an engineer at Dean Foods and 17 years with Multi Skill Training Services.
• Scott and the guests discuss the importance of training in the industry, with Scott sharing his personal experience as a journeyman lineman.

Customized Training Programs

• Ashley explains how Multi-Skill Training Services customizes training programs based on job task analyses to meet specific industry needs.
• The company focuses on skills trades across various industries, starting with the food and beverage industry but expanding to other sectors.
• Darren elaborates on the customization process, detailing how they identify and address specific needs in different plants, such as electrical, power, controls, instrumentation, and VLC.
• The training is tailored to each customer's requirements, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.

Engagement and Assessment Process

• Ashley describes the engagement process, where companies identify skills gaps and contact Multi Skill Training Services for customized assessments and training.
• The company conducts pre-training assessments to understand the technicians' current skill levels and tailor the training accordingly.
• Darren discusses the criteria for selecting instructors, emphasizing the need for experienced electrical or mechanical engineers with at least 25 years in manufacturing.
• Instructors undergo a rigorous onboarding process, including training with existing instructors and demonstrating their capabilities before becoming full-time instructors.

Travel and Training Logistics

• Darren explains the logistics of training, including traveling to different parts of the US and shipping equipment for remote locations.
• The company has a model where instructors are independent contractors, allowing them to choose the weeks they want to teach.
• Scott and Darren discuss the challenges of maintaining a consistent training program with the ongoing retirement of experienced instructors.
• Ashley mentions the use of online assessment tools and skill confirmations to ensure the effectiveness of the training and its application on the plant floor.

Inspiring the Next Generation

• Scott raises the topic of inspiring the next generation to join the trades, emphasizing the importance of skilled individuals in the industry.
• Ashley and Darren discuss the roadmap they provide for young individuals to learn and develop the necessary skills.
• Darren shares the company's origins, starting from the founder's frustration with the vocational school's outdated training programs.
• The conversation touches on the need for educational systems to adapt to current industry demands and the role of training organizations in bridging the skills gap.

Staying Current with Industry Needs

• Scott and Darren discuss the challenges of staying current with rapidly changing industry needs.
• Darren explains the company's continuous evolution, constantly updating training equipment, curriculum, and hands-on exercises to meet customer requirements.
• The company has a dedicated team that rewrites curriculum and re-engineers training boards to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
• Scott and Darren agree on the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in training programs to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Contact Information and Closing Remarks

• Scott asks Ashley and Darren for their contact information for listeners interested in their services.
• Ashley provides her LinkedIn profile and the company's website, Industrial Maintenance Training.
• Darren shares his LinkedIn profile and contact information, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to Multi Skill Training Services for industry training needs.
• Scott wraps up the podcast, encouraging listeners to connect with Ashley and Darren and highlighting the importance of skilled training in the industry.