Professional Training Modules: Discover the Latest Update
A Q&A with Steve Marino, Manager, Technical Services
Since 2008, Vitro has offered exclusive online training models to Vitro Certified™ Network members looking to refine their knowledge of the glass industry. Over the years we’ve collected your feedback on how we could make these modules even better, and, thanks to your insight, Vitro’s new and improved VCN Professional Training Modules have experienced a major upgrade.
Both the content and the format of the VCN Professional Training Modules have been updated to include the latest knowledge and a fresh new look. The training modules also feature expanded access for VCN member companies and their employees.
Steve Marino, manager, technical services was instrumental in concepting, creating and implementing these updates, thanks to his in-depth understanding of Vitro’s range of products and his keen insight on how best to meet the needs of our VCN members. Now, he’s sharing what VCN members can expect when they log in.
Q: What are the VCN Professional Training Modules?
A: Over a decade ago, Vitro started offering Professional Training Modules to our VCN fabricators. Our goal was to make it easier to understand some of the more complicated subjects relevant to the glass industry and encourage more people to engage with educational material. In crafting these modules, we asked ourselves “What’s important to a fabricator?” as well as “What information do we currently offer in technical documents and how can we tailor that for a more interactive, computer-based training?”
For the majority of our training modules, there is a basis in Vitro’s library of technical documents. However, unlike other online resources like our Glass Education Center, which is designed for anyone who works in the commercial glass industry, the VCN Professional Training Modules have a focus on specifically what fabricators need to know.
Q: How can fabricators determine which training modules are right for them?
A: The VCN Professional Training Modules feature three technical levels: 100, 200 and 300. Every one of these modules can be useful to anyone in the fabrication business, but they offer different levels of detail for ongoing training, professional development and mastery of knowledge.
The 100 series is applicable to anyone in the industry, but it’s especially valuable to new hires and those who are new to the glass industry. Topics in the 100 series include insulating glass components, glass cutting basics, and the differences in hard-coat and soft-coat. The 100 series also features all our safety courses.
The 200 series will appeal to those who already have some background in glass and fabrication, but who may either be moving into a new role or need to have new knowledge about a particular subject. Topics include thermal and optical properties of glass, thermal performance of IGUs, edge deletion and several other more precise topics.
The 300 series is especially useful for someone like a salesperson or consultant who is communicating with external customers and architects and advising them on specific products or processes. These are the most detailed, specific courses and include topics like thermal stress, MSVD coatings, glass tempering and spontaneous breakage, along with courses on evaluating glass and understanding IGU construction.
Q: What new features have been included in this update?
A: The valuable content these modules offer has remained largely the same, with the exception of information that needed to be updated to reflect current knowledge and practices. Our goal with this update was to improve the look and feel of the modules, not to change the content.
We’ve improved the visuals that accompany the courses and have updated the presentation method to enhance the overall experience. Additionally, much of the recent feedback we’ve received from VCN members was that they wanted more personalized access, so the modules will now feature expanded access for VCN member companies to permit more individual accounts and facilitate more individualized printing of testing certificates.
In addition, Vitro now hosts the VCN Professional Training modules in-house, which allows for expanded access for our member companies and more flexibility on our end to make changes at any time and offer the most up-to-date information.
Q: How do the VCN Professional Training Modules assess your knowledge?
A: It’s simple: you take a test at the end. We designed these tests to help ensure that those who complete the modules really understand the subject matter. There are approximately seven to 10 questions per module, and you’ll need to earn a 70% or higher to pass. If you do so, you’ll be able to download a certificate that will attest to your refreshed knowledge.
Q: How can fabricators get access to the new VCN Professional Training Modules site for themselves and their team?
A: VCN fabricators can contact Patty Fisher at pfisher@vitro.com to obtain individual access to the training modules site. If you are interested in obtaining additional logins for your team, she can also discuss the access needs for your location with you and make sure those are being met.
