In a move that will greatly widen access to its highly acclaimed
training resources, Trend Control Systems Ltd has become the first
building controls manufacturer to offer interactive online courses
to the users and suppliers of its products. The company is initially
offering two courses through its newly launched ‘e-learning’ website
- one for operators of the Trend ‘963’ BMS supervisor and the other
an overview of the BACnet communications standard. More will be
added at regular intervals. The site also provides online study
material for individuals on the Trend ‘Attitude’ Apprenticeship
scheme.
Trend e-learning is not intended to replace the company’s popular
classroom-based courses, which will remain central to its training
provision. Indeed, its Horsham training centre is being expanded to
cater for greater numbers of trainees. The e-learning courses will
complement traditional training, as well as providing a very
convenient form of tuition for those both in the UK and overseas who
for one reason or another are unable or disinclined to attend
classroom courses.
The e-learning course for ‘963’ supervisor operators will prove
ideal for many of the ever growing legion of individuals whose role
involves interaction with a Trend BMS. Based on elements of a 2-day
classroom course, its eight multi-media, interactive modules impart
the basic knowledge needed to display and understand system
monitored data and access and adjust control settings – everything
in fact that is required for the day-to-day operation of a BMS. The
course costs £450 and takes six to eight hours to complete.
Exercises are included to test understanding and a certificate can
be printed out on completion.
The e-learning course on the BACnet data communications protocol
provides a thorough introduction to this ISO and European standard
for building automation and control applications. The course is
principally aimed at the large partner network of Trend Technology
Centres and other specialist control companies that are authorised
to supply and engineer Trend systems – for who it will be free of
charge. Part of the package will examine the application of BACnet
within Trend building management systems.
For those on the Trend Apprenticeship Scheme, the new website will
give access to various e-learning packages. The first of these
covers the two-year college course that leads to City & Guilds
Certificate 2330 in Electro-technical Technology, which most on the
scheme are working towards. This is not meant as an alternative to
college attendance but as a valuable study aid that allows the
apprentices access to any course module whenever they wish.
Forthcoming additions to the e-learning website will include an
Ethernet awareness course and an introductory guide to building
management systems. The former is again targeted at Trend’s partner
network and will basically explain how Trend IQxcite controllers
connect to and communicate with an Ethernet network. The
introduction to BMS will be of use to anyone that is new to the
building controls industry. Also in the pipeline is a course
explaining the workings of the graphical configuration tool (SET)
that is used to engineer Trend systems. Ultimately, Trend is looking
to apply the e-learning concept to any relevant subject matter that
does not require a ‘hands on hardware’ approach.
Accessing Trend e-learning courses is a straightforward process. A
course that is chargeable can be selected and paid for directly
through the website (www.elearningtrendcontrols.com); a user name
and password is then e-mailed to the purchaser allowing access to
the course material. Existing Trend customers can choose instead to
contact Trend Training Reception on +44(0) 1403 226230 or education@trendcontrols.com
and be issued with an invoice. Access to courses that are free of
charge to eligible individuals is also arranged through Training
Reception.
Trend has always invested heavily in training resources for users
and suppliers of its systems. This is reflected in customer surveys,
which repeatedly show industry-leading levels of satisfaction with
this area of its business. In the UK, Trend’s busy training centres
in Horsham and Leeds run scheduled and customised courses throughout
the year. Overseas, it operates dedicated training units in France,
Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Poland and the US – with another due
to open soon in Russia. The company’s classroom based courses and
the e-learning scheme will be developed in tandem. Together they
will enable Trend to the meet widest possible range of training
needs.
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E-mail Trend Control Systems |