TRAINING
Electrical 102 Launched
Advanced Electrical Academy a Success
By Jim Wright: Product Manager, IBT Electrical
Apr 7, 2008 - 1:06:28 PM

Slightly more than a year ago, IBT first offered IBT Electrical Academy 101, a basics of electricity class. Demand exceeded expectations, and customers began requesting additional and more advanced classes. Material dealing with advanced motors, VFD’s, PLC programming and similar topics seemed to be on the top of everyone’s list.

After a year of planning and much preparation, we presented the first IBT Electrical Academy 102, and offered two sections covering motors and drives, as the first offering sold out quickly.

Following some “opening day jitters,” we soon realized that the new course lived up to expectations. We seem to have made the material relevant to each individual, and challenged students to apply their new knowledge with problem-solving drills.

As the instructor for this class, I can tell you my students did not disappoint me, and in fact they challenged me to discuss additional application issues that were relevant to their facilities.

Student comments indicated that they found the IBT Electrical 102 training to be a valuable experience, particularly for those with limited electrical backgrounds.

While they observed that the subject matter (AC Motors and Drives) can be limitless, the presentation did not get bogged down with infinite bits of data that may (or may not) be retained.

They experienced the evolution of a thought process, whereby each individual asked the right questions. The class work helped explain where to look for answers, rather than just simply supplying those answers.

What’s possibly next on my drawing board? IBT has tentative plans to add a third level electric training course, IBT Electrical 103 Academy, Basic PLC Programming as well as a 210 Advanced Arc Flash Mitigation for Plant Managers, Safety Directors, Maintenance Managers.