Getting Started for Business & Industry

Kent State University at Trumbull works very closely with corporate clients to ensure the successful design and implementation of a maintenance training program that meets your unique needs and organizational objectives.  

Focused on sustained process improvement, Kent State professionals will assist you in defining your needs, designing a program to meet identified needs, modifying company processes/procedures, if necessary, to support the program, implementing and monitoring the program, and evaluating results.    

This process of collaboration, between Kent State and your business, can be conducted in person or by phone and electronic communications.   The typical process involves:

Needs Assessment – Kent State University at Trumbull will engage human resource professionals, maintenance supervisors, plant managers, and other stakeholders in a needs assessment to determine the need for training. Some items of discussion involved in the needs assessment are:

  • Problems the company is experiencing
  • Current staffing structure
  • Organization/department goals and strategic objectives
  • Hiring and promotion process / procedures
  • Internal Resources and on-the-job training practices
  • Cost, scheduling and logistic issues

Job Task Analysis – Upon completion of the needs assessment, maintenance supervisors and technicians will be asked to complete a job task analysis and speak to the importance and frequency of various maintenance tasks. The job task analysis will be used to determine training priorities.

Training Program Creation – Kent State University at Trumbull will utilize the needs assessment and compiled job task analyses to create a training program that aligns to the priorities and goals of the company. Individual course objectives will be shared with the company’s planning team who will work with Kent State Trumbull staff to create a training program specific to the company.  

Identification/Selection of Participants – there are many factors that impact which employees participate in the training program and at what level they are engaged. Some questions used to make this determination are:

  • What is the purpose of the training?
  • Will all current maintenance technicians be trained or will certain employees be selected to participate?   What criteria will be used to select participants?
  • Does the company want to implement pre-employment (or pre-training) testing?   Will all new hires complete training? (see #5 below)
  • How will employees be rewarded for successful program completion?  Will there be consequences for non-completion?
  • Will experienced maintenance technicians be engaged as on-the-job trainers or coaches?

Pre-testing & prior course credit – Companies have an option to administer a variety of pre-tests to employees. Pretests can be utilized as an overall assessment to start the Industrial Maintenance Training Program, or as a way for employees to test out of subject / topic areas within the training program. Companies may also choose to allow course credit for employees’ prior education, training, or work experience.

Launch training - Once the training program has been created and employees have been selected to participate, Kent State Trumbull will prepare individualized training plans and enroll participants in their first series of courses. We can coordinate with a designated company representative and/or directly with individual employees. The company pays for courses as employee’s progress through the program. When the initial courses are completed, Kent State Trumbull will order additional courses and companies will be invoiced accordingly.

Monitor and Evaluate – Kent State Trumbull will monitor employee/participant’s progress and provide the company with periodic progress reports and/or updated training plans. Kent State staff will provide support and assistance, as needed, to employee participants and/or company representatives. Upon successful completion of the designated training program, a certificate of completion will be provided.

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