We recently sat down for a chat with Chris Schier, Vice President of Business Development at Technical Training Aids (TTA), who plays a critical role in managing TTA’s technical equipment sales and product management.
His extensive experience allows him to combine technical education training equipment with curriculum and certification alignment, product vision, implementation, training, and support. His role helps customers find solutions and explore new technologies.
One of Schier’s significant recent contributions is his development and implementation of mobile training labs, a revolutionary technology in the field of technical training. TTA, under Schier’s guidance, is leading the market by addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in technical training. “Our mobile training labs are transforming the learning experience by enhancing accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness,” Schier stated. These labs offer immersive, hands-on learning experiences promoting creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, thus equipping users for the future.
Mobile Training Labs: Revolutionizing the Learning Experience
TTA customers wanted an opportunity to “provide a state-of-the-art training program but did not have the funds for a building expansion. We came up with the idea of having the largest mobile lab we could,” said Schier.
Our mobile training labs revolutionize learning by offering accessibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. They bring education directly to students and the workforce, overcoming geographical limitations, and providing a convenient solution that eliminates the need for learners to travel. As a cost-effective alternative to building permanent facilities, the mobile training labs can be deployed as needed and can be shared among different groups or locations. Overall, these labs provide a flexible and dynamic approach to education and training, enhancing engagement and learning effectiveness.
”It had to be an area a learner would feel comfortable in and look forward to being trained in. We went with the largest custom trailer at 53 feet long with slides expanding the sides and we incorporated counters, cabinets, bright lighting, and air conditioning. We get compliments all the time about how nice the mobile training centers are and that the students prefer it over their classrooms,” explained Schier.
Key Benefits of Mobile Training Labs
These innovative labs offer key benefits such as fostering creativity, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and improving critical thinking skills among users. They provide a hands-on, immersive learning environment that enables individuals to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, thereby enhancing their understanding and competency in various technical fields. These STEM opportunities might even pique the interest of students and women in STEM, like Pipeline Engineer, Ansley Alexander.
Mobile training labs provide flexibility, allowing educators to reach larger audiences in different locations. These labs can be customized to fit specific educational goals and curriculums, giving educators the freedom to design unique learning experiences.
These mobile labs have the same state-of-the-art equipment used in brick-and-mortar buildings. “Users engage directly with materials, tools, and technologies, encouraging innovative thinking to solve challenges and complete tasks. By simulating real-world scenarios and tasks, these labs provide users with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts,” said Schier. This application-based learning fosters critical thinking by requiring users to analyze situations, identify problems, and develop solutions.
Real Life Examples of Positive Impact
Mobile training labs are instrumental in providing opportunities for those who may otherwise have limited access to state-of-the-art training. For instance, they are used in correctional institutions to teach inmates job-ready skills. This not only provides inmates with useful skills but also helps reduce the chances of recidivism by helping them secure jobs to provide for themselves and their families.
These labs also play a crucial role in rural high schools, where building a new facility and equipping it with advanced training equipment may not be feasible. “Mobile training labs can reach underserved or remote areas where traditional educational resources might be limited. By bringing training directly to communities, these labs reduce geographical barriers to access,” Schier stated. In such situations, local technical colleges bring the mobile lab to these schools for a semester, providing subjects like Mechatronics, Industrial Systems, Welding, and Construction. This initiative not only gives students access to high school credits but also college credits.
Schier explained, “It comes down to accessibility. We need to have every learner that desires to learn skills sets for demanding careers have access to state-of-the-art facilities. These mobile training centers break down barriers and allow educators to serve a more diverse range of learners and offer flexible training opportunities.”
Mobile Training Labs Encourage Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Innovative Technologies
Mobile labs frequently incorporate innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), robotics, and 3D printing. These tools challenge users to think creatively about how to leverage technology to solve problems and create new solutions.
Open-Ended Challenges
Our training systems present users with open-ended challenges that have multiple possible solutions. This approach encourages divergent thinking, where users explore various paths and ideas to arrive at creative solutions.
Trial and Error
Hands-on activities in mobile labs often involve experimentation and iteration. Users learn through trial and error, refining their approaches based on feedback and outcomes. This process builds problem-solving skills and resilience in the face of challenges.
Creativity Workshops and Design Thinking
Some mobile labs focus specifically on fostering creativity and innovation through workshops that teach design thinking methodologies. These workshops guide users through structured processes for ideation, prototyping, and refining creative solutions.
Long Term Advantages of Investing in Mobile Training Labs
Investing in mobile training labs brings about long-term advantages for individuals and institutions. “Every industry can benefit from these mobile labs. They can be customized to meet the needs of the local learner and industries,” stated Schier. “These offer the same resources as a lab in a building but at a fraction of the cost, which allows us to train and empower more students and local industry with the skill sets needed to provide for their future.”
In conclusion, TTA’s custom mobile training labs have significantly transformed technical training. They have revolutionized learning experiences, fostered creativity and problem-solving skills, and brought technical training to underserved areas. We strongly encourage you to explore these transformative learning tools and consider how your students and institution could benefit from integrating such innovative solutions.
If you’re interested in learning more about our Mobile Training Labs, we’d be happy to discuss your ideas with you. Reach out or give us a call today at 1-888-925-1612! We can tailor our services to meet your education and technical training needs, and there are even potential grants available to aid in acquisition.
