18 18 18
C
algary-based Calfrac couldn't fi nd a classroom big enough to fi t its needs,
so it created its own.
The pressure pumping services provider put a tablet in the hands of each
of its fi eld operators as part of its Calfrac Employee Responsibility Training
(CERT). The CERT program allowed for fl exibility and mobility in the organization's
on-the-job training, essentially putting a mobile classroom in the hands of each and
every one of its fi eld operators.
"As a company, the commitment to put a tablet in the hands of every one of
our operators was signifi cant," says Jon Koop, director of employee training and
development at Calfrac, which operates in fi ve countries worldwide.
"The willingness to do that really speaks volumes to the company's commitment
to training, even in the current market conditions in oil and gas."
CERT also standardized training across the company's districts, both in content
and in delivery. The program includes online training modules relating to each
individual piece of equipment used by fi eld operators in conjunction with on-the-
job training through peer-to-peer coaching.
Calfrac's blended approach to training — which incorporates the online modules
and hands-on fi eld training — is cutting edge, Koop says.
CERT was fi rst conceived as a set of manuals. Calfrac uses more than 30 separate
pieces of equipment in operations and many of these machines are retrofi tted to
suit specifi c needs. In an effort to create standardized training processes, Calfrac
worked with several of its fi eld operators and a technical writer to create a manual
for each piece of equipment.
The manuals ranged from 20 to 40 pages each.
"What we realized really quickly was that probably wasn't the best training
method," says Koop. "Sitting these guys in front of stacks of manuals wasn't going
to be very effective at keeping them awake, let alone having them learn anything."
The company decided a blended approach would be more successful, as the
hands-on component would be more in keeping with its tradition of on-the-job
training.
"It was pretty conscious," says Eric Stenson, Calfrac's corporate fi eld training
manager, of the company's decision to give employees a signifi cant amount of
agency and control within the CERT program.
"I started, fi rst day, boots on the ground," he says. "We consciously made the effort
to make sure the program fi t with on-the-job training in the fi eld."
With that in mind, Calfrac turned to employees as it devised its training processes.
Calfrac fi nds fl exibility, mobility – and cost savings –
in taking blended approach to training
By Liz Foster
Calfrac
Best Corporate Training and Development Program
COST > pg. 20
