Caleffi

No doubt about it, COVID-19 quickly changed the way we work, and play. Travel and in person visits came to a screeching halt. Professional offices, suppliers, even many working shops closed their doors to visitors. Training in the not to distant past was done, for the most part, in person. Conveniently, most trainers adapted quickly to offer online training options. Many of the companies in our industry were already familiar with platforms like Go To meeting. This made the switch to virtual training fairly easy for those trainers.

Some trainers I met through the ESCO group devised hybrid virtual training events. With a few cameras, one that would follow you around a room they kept the hands on training available also.

An instructor in front of a piece of equipment would be led through the troubleshooting in real time, clever and almost like being there.

The question remains, what happens going forward in the training world. In some cases offices that made the change to virtual workspaces plan on staying that way. In some larger cities’ that has created  office space vacancies and those building owners are scrambling to repurpose those spaces to get the rent rolling back in.

In cities like San Francisco it was a tough slog to see more than two engineering firms in a day due to traffic and parking logistics. With online, virtual sessions you can present to their entire staff as well as any locations they have scattered around the world.

I’ve started limited travel myself for training events. I doubt cramming 30 or more folks into a hotel meeting room will ever be attractive anymore. In some cases moving the training into the shop area, parking lot or a large cafeteria  area is a good option to allow attendees to spread out more.

I doubt anyone knows for sure how this will shake out or what “bug” will hit us next that makes  people want to avoid crowded rooms and spaces, but plan on having options. Come up with new ways to engage the attendees. Not being able to see faces, expressions and not getting that in person feedback changes the game for a trainer.  Add polls to your training to get some interaction and a feel for the groups. Consider multiple speakers or trainers to get some back and forth conversation in your online trainings.

The need for having a trained workforce is critical. Equipment is becoming more sophisticated and specific, so factory training will march forward. We would love to hear from all the players in the industry, thoughts suggestions, what we can do to keep you’ all coming back.

Let’s rid the ‘VID and get back to the normal face to face that we all crave.

Caleffi North America, a global leader and manufacturer of innovative products for plumbing, heating and cooling, is pleased to offer its 1” male x 1” female union thread isolation ball valve. The 290030 valve is designed to fit conveniently between any Caleffi 1” union valve body and tailpiece. It is low-lead compliant and is certified to NSF/ANSI 372 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61. An optional stem extension is available for projects requiring pipe insulation.

The isolation valve is compatible with our most popular Caleffi valves including FlowCal™ and QuickSetter+™ balancing valves, AngleMix™ and MixCal™ thermostatic mixing valves, Z-one™ zone valves and PresCal™ pressure reducing valves.

Please visit our website at www.caleffi.us or call us at (414) 238-2360 for further product information.

Caleffi North America is proud to introduce a mini training series, the “5 Things You Need To Know.” The educational videos are available on YouTube and feature Cody Mack, Caleffi training and education manager. Mack creatively and succinctly addresses plumbing and hydronic system applications in order to assist the listener in problem solving and avoidance.

Why listen into the “5 Things”?

1. You identify with the condition: webinar-weary.
2. You have 5 minutes available.
3. You are naturally curious.
4. You appreciate the value of Cliffs Notes®.
5. You enjoy a balance of education and entertainment (Mack will not disappoint).

Mack has nearly 20 years’ experience as an installation contractor, service technician, application engineer and most recently training manager for Caleffi. He pounds the pavement – whether real time or virtual – educating Boomers, Gen-X’ers, Millennials and beyond. A family man, gear-head and motorcycle-enthusiast, our listeners will appreciate his thoughtful delivery and common sense product approach. Watch for the video collection to GROW.