Kiilto’s supplementary training continues online
Kiilto’s training courses have been organised as webinars since May, when the Covid-19 crisis meant that face-to-face training was no longer possible. We have received positive feedback about the webinars – they have been found to be an effective and enjoyable way of updating skills.
Kiilto's Pro Academy training switched to webinars in May 2020. Training on wet rooms, indoor air and resales has been organised as webinars. Last autumn, a completely new supplementary training course was launched for Kiilto Pro indoor air specialists to ensure the continued validity of their qualifications.
“The Covid-19 pandemic did not remove the need for training, so we wanted to ensure that training continued during these exceptional times as well,” says Kiilto designer service manager Tanja Starck. “Building materials and their use are developing rapidly, and the participants often mention in their feedback that they have received up-to-date and useful information anywhere in Finland despite the difficult situation.”
Everyone needs to update their skills
Continuing to provide training about wet rooms and indoor air as webinars has been especially important for those who need to maintain their professional qualifications. For example, wet room workers must undergo supplementary training every two years to maintain their certification.
In practice, however, the webinars are still open to all of Kiilto's customers and construction professionals.
“Nowadays it is important that everyone’s information is up to date. At Kiilto, we have all the latest information and we want to pass it on to those participating in our training. Training courses are also a great opportunity for participants to give feedback and present ideas that we may take directly into product development, and for us to hear what is really needed in the field,” says Starck.
Kiilto floor products sales manager Jonne Lahtinen has also hosted webinars since May 2020, and takes the same view.
“New solutions and products are being added to the work phases and working methods all the time. We provide the latest information to help professionals find alternative and better ways to work.
Webinars increase flexibility
The webinars have been very popular, and the feedback has been positive from the start. Participants have been particularly happy with how easy it is to take part in the webinars.
“Many people are busy, so driving to a training session or taking several hours off during a work day may have been difficult. Webinars are handy, as you can listen to them during a break or while working. Webinars are a very effective and low-entry way to get the latest information and update your skills,” says Kiilto key account manager Anssi Rajanen, who has also provided training in webinars.
We have also offered webinars in the evenings to accommodate those who are unable to participate during the day. “Many participants have said that webinars would be a good way to update information and certificates in the future as well. Last year, we offered training to more than a thousand people through our webinars, which was a really positive surprise,” says Rajanen.
Webinars are here to stay
In order for webinars to best serve their participants, the training materials must be continuously improved.
“After each webinar, we collect feedback from the participants and update materials accordingly. We also give thought to what we as trainers could do to make the webinars even better,” Lahtinen says.
Although face-to-face training will hopefully be possible in the future, webinars are not going anywhere.
“Of course we wish that we would be able to offer live training sessions as well, and we will resume them as soon as it is safe to do so. However, taking part in webinars is easier for many, and we have received such encouraging feedback that we will continue to offer them as an alternative to regular training,” Starck says.
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