Amatrol “Anytime Anywhere” e-Learning System

MERIDIAN, MS -- “This region is building one of the most innovative, accessible, advanced manufacturing training systems in the United States” Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said announcing the WAEM Region’s Amatrol Anytime Anywhere e-Learning System.  For WAEM partners, the key word was “accessible.” 

The e-learning system gives workers access to training and assessments at home, at work, at libraries, and at any location with broadband Internet access.  Consisting of more than 450 advanced manufacturing training modules, the system was developed by the WAEM Alliance using the online e-learning system developed by Indiana-based Amatrol, Inc.  Both the accessibility and the industry-proven learning modules were focuses of the WAEM Regional Training Framework that guided development of the system.

This Internet based system supports:

  • technical training at the WAEM colleges and allied high schools;
  • on-site training for business and industry; and
  • individual skills training at home, at work, or at any location there is broadband Internet access.

b Amatrol’s training modules align with MSSC/NCIST standards, are industry endorsed and validated, and enable standardized technical qualification across the WAEM region.  Amatrol’s Learning Management System provides the capacity to assess technical knowledge and track technical instruction and practice.  The assessment system can be accessed online, but the related credentials require authentic, in-person assessment.

“Governor Bob Riley (AL) and I jointly sought the WIRED grant to help make this area of West Alabama and East Mississippi a globally competitive region, “said Governor Barbour. “This training system is going to give us a big leg up.”

Alabama Southern, Bevill State, Shelton State, and Wallace–Selma are the Alabama colleges joining the alliance.  East Central, East Mississippi, Jones County, and Meridian are the Mississippi colleges.

College presidents were excited about the potential of the new system.  East Central Mississippi Community College President Phil Sutphin said, “For our region to be competitive in the world economy, we must provide the means to develop the highly skilled workforce that will be required to retain and attract jobs to our region.”

“Over the years, we have received training and support from East Central Community College and ECCC has done a very good job in anything we have needed,” explained Rodis Shealy, Manufacturing Engineering Group Leader for Taylor Machine Works. “We have not utilized more of these services because it is difficult to get our people to classes after work.
c
“Since your group came up and presented the Amatrol program, we have had increased interest in more training. This is because we can work at our own pace through the modules that are of interest to us.”


 “A system like this is going to help us with an existing industry that has about 300 people,” said Dr. James Mitchell, president of Wallace Community College - Selma.  “Their pay scale will be based on how well they complete the modules and go towards their advanced manufacturing credential.  We have a few industries who are ready for this now.” 

“Our two-state effort enhances the skills of our citizens so that they can participate in this thing we call the American Dream,” said Dr. Raj Shanauk, workforce director at East Mississippi Community College.  “Individuals can take the training online or they can go to any of the eight community colleges or their centers to learn the basic skills, then learn the technical skills needed to participate in this 21st century economy.”   “I firmly believe the WAEM region is on the cutting edge,” said Chris Crawford, Amatrol representative for Mississippi. “I know of no other place that has implemented this type of training.  I applaud you for this.”