NAHETS Introduces iPod, “An Instructor in a Pocket,” for Heavy Equipment Training

Las Vegas, NV, February 09, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS) is introducing a new training tool for heavy equipment operators called, “An instructor in a pocket.” This method of training allows NAHETS heavy equipment students to receive instruction in video format via Apple iPods.

Purpose

The purpose behind this training tool is to provide students with a visual learning resource to help them better remember their tasks and ultimately increase performance on heavy equipment operation. The iPod training tool (a.k.a. “an instructor in a pocket”) will ensure NAHETS students are beyond the curve in technology and learning resources for heavy equipment operation instruction.

Content.

The iPod videos will have a series for each type of heavy equipment at the school. Currently, the skid steer series is available, with more to come. On each video series, an instructor takes the student through basic and advanced drills to show students what training objectives they need to complete and how to complete them.

Origin

The “instructor in a pocket” idea originally came from Matt Klabacka, executive director of NAHETS, and Rhett Nielson, media and creative director. They discovered the idea as they were working together with Chris Cannon, director of training and curriculum development, in implementing the Yellow Metal Boot Camp Program, unique to the construction and heavy equipment industry. They envisioned heavy equipment training beyond the traditional textbook, class room, and on-site instruction.

Yellow Metal Boot Camp Program

Yellow Metal Boot Camp is the “technology meets heavy equipment operating” curriculum created and implemented by NAHETS:

Manuals
DVDs
Drill cards
Online “hot tips” videos
iPod podcast videos

The iPod training tool focuses on the “read, see, and do” NAHETS Yellow Metal Boot Camp philosophy of construction equipment training:

“Read” it and forget it (textbooks, etc.)
“See” it and remember it (iPod videos)
“Do” it and understand it (on-site heavy equipment)

iPod Details

Each student who enrolls with any of the NAHETS schools will receive a 4 GB Video iPod Nano. Students are told how to access the private URL links that give them the location of the podcasts to download onto their iPods. Students will use campus computers to download everything into iTunes and then sync onto their iPods. The students can frequently use these videos while attending NAHETS schools and also watch them in the future as they begin new jobs or need to brush up on certain skills. In other words, the “instructor in a pocket” provides a lifetime of instruction.

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The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools was formally established in 2006 as the country’s top heavy equipment training schools united to improve the standards and curriculum of heavy equipment training. Currently NAHETS has five member schools across the United States.

Contact:

Matt Klabacka, Executive Director
National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools
2920 N. Green Valley Pkwy, Ste. 822
Henderson, NV 89014
mattk@nahets.com
www.nahets.com