Year
2001
Abstract
Training has been going on since the beginning of time. What can there be new in the world of training? In the past training focussed on copying what others do to accomplish a particular task. – for example to make fire. A person who knew how, did the chore. The trainee watched and then imitated. What has changed? The complexity of the tasks has changed and the time available to learn the task has diminished; and the tools available to provide the training have changed. As a result, for many jobs a more systematic approach to training is required to assure success is achieved. Training can be contrasted with education. The goal of technical education is to provide information that is not necessaril y aimed at accomplishing a particular task but is aimed at providing general knowledge which may be useful at some point in the future in a particular field of study. Education is generally based on a curriculum – a list of topics that Universities believe is good for you to know. This is often heavily influenced by the interests of the professor teaching a specific subject. At several Universities, Students are allowed to pick and chose among courses based on their educational goals. A successful education creates a readiness of the mind to accept new demands in subject areas. It rarely prepares you to carry out specific jobs without further training and practice.