Lights, camera, action – ADSA live streams training for quality standards

What the COVID crisis has taught us, is that we can do things differently. Technology has enabled many of us to work from home, meet with colleagues remotely and deliver services in a way that previously we had not considered.

Throughout these unprecedented times, the automatic door industry has produced innovative adaptations and new solutions for entrance requirements enabling us to adapt to this ‘new normal’. Meanwhile installers and service engineers have found themselves at the cutting edge: assisting the front line by maintaining the effective operation of critical buildings – from hospitals to supermarkets.

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) continued to work during lockdown to provide much-needed support for member organisations and their employees. External stakeholders also contacted the association for advice and assistance during this difficult time.

A fundamental part of ADSA’s role is helping set standards and train those working in the industry to deliver quality service, mindful of legal requirements and good practice.

Traditionally, ADSA training has taken place in the classroom but the COVID pandemic and the ensuing lockdown meant that this was not achievable, or desirable.

It was considered vital that training delivery be maintained and a solution was found that would emulate the quality of classroom delivery – providing delegates with an in-depth knowledge of all standards to determine the safe operation, design and specification of powered pedestrian doors.

Said ADSA CEO Ken Price: “It was essential that we continued to offer training during lockdown but traditional classroom delivery was out of the question. We quickly needed to develop an online alternative that would offer the same quality and interaction as being there in person.”

“I had sat through, and presented, a number of online seminars during lockdown, and I was convinced that digital was the way forward, but I felt that existing platforms were a little one-dimensional. To replicate the quality of our classroom delivery and stimulate engagement, we arrived at the idea of producing a television-style broadcast.”

ADSA identified an experienced partner – RED Shell Productions which had significant television production experience. The company used a multi-camera feed, with live mixing and an interactive web platform to help ADSA deliver dynamic content with clear advantages.

The digital delivery saves members extra travel and hotel costs and ensures their safety during the continuation of the pandemic.

Said Ken: “Our first live streaming event took place mid-June and monthly courses are now scheduled until February 2021.

“The response has been extremely positive with members keen to applaud our proactive approach and work with us to make it a success.”

The content for the courses was redeveloped from its original 1.5 days duration and adapted for online consumption, introducing breaks to maintain focus and encourage participation.

“We also had to identify a way to maintain the security and integrity of our examination process. We were able to achieve this through emailed links to each delegate for an online examination which had to be undertaken within a set period,” added Ken

Feedback on the courses has been extremely positive. There has even been a 100 per cent pass mark – the achievement being taken by Nigel Cove, of dormakaba, who was the first to do this through the live stream training.

In addition to the live sessions, there has been an uptake of 30 per cent in the use of the ADSA Academy which provides more than 100 online courses – the majority free to employees of member organisations.

The Academy has been a lifeline for many individuals including those who initially found themselves furloughed during the lockdown period. With time on their hands, and an opportunity to learn at no additional cost, 8200 training packages have been accessed this year to date.

Future live streaming training sessions can be found on the news section of the ADSA website: www.adsa.org.uk/news and via its social media channels.