Gas Certification Institute (GCI) is actively taking steps toward interactive online training. This anticipated form of GCI training will continue to provide oil and gas professionals with high-level education and experience on the fundamentals of measurement.
We want to clearly state that our plans to offer interactive online training are not a substitute for the in-person training classes that we have provided over the past 20 years. Interactive online training is the next best thing, utilizing state-of-the-art screen-sharing technology and encouraging student participation.
Through extensive research, discussions, and practice, we are in the process of formulating an interactive training experience that can be delivered online while still maintaining the same level of education, interaction, and discussion that facilitates understanding. This way, professionals can return to the field with the confidence to repeatedly perform measurement with accuracy.
Why We Are Pursuing Interactive Online Training
There are two main reasons why we are taking steps to introduce this interactive forum to provide measurement training.
1. A new opportunity to provide training to more professionals. Advances in technology have created the opportunity to provide training on the fundamentals of measurement to a wider group of oil and gas professionals, limiting the need to travel while continuing to provide a classroom experience.
We understand that many professionals do not have available time in their schedule to travel to our training facility in Houston to receive training. Or, many companies cannot afford to have their personnel spend a significant amount of time away from their day-to-day role supporting the measurement function.
By offering interactive online training to measurement professionals, we can close the gap in time and distance by delivering training through a digital forum.
2. Maintaining the health of oil and gas professionals. In the spring, we temporarily suspended in-person training classes at our facility to align with federal, state, and local health recommendations centered on the COVID-19 pandemic. After closely monitoring the health situation and gathering feedback on what it would look like to re-open in-person training, we are concerned about whether it would be in the best interest of our staff, instructors, or students to resume in-person training.
However, oil and gas operators still need to provide training to their measurement professionals who desire to improve their knowledge and capability through fundamental measurement training. We also want to continue supporting oil and gas companies that need their measurement personnel to receive training, especially to close gaps in the workforce during this disruption period.
Therefore, at this time, we believe that interactive online training is the best option to pursue so that we can deliver training to professionals while ensuring the safety and health of each student that we serve.
As conditions change, we will remain in communication about how we plan to re-open the classroom environment in a safe manner that creates peace of mind for all involved parties.
Participate in Interactive Online Training
Our goal with interactive online training is to mimic the classroom environment. As in typical classroom training, the instructor progressively leads the class through class material, while students participate from their personal computer. This two-way, interactive experience allows for conversation and questions to facilitate understanding of the material. This will require students to set aside time on their schedule to sit at the workstation, use a video camera, and participate in the live, online learning environment.
We are committed to providing professionals with the same interactive experience they would expect from an in-person session. This also means that we will continue to monitor and limit class sizes to provide ample opportunities for Q&A and sidebar discussions. This way, each individual grows in confidence to perform their tasks and advance in their career.
At present, we are seeking companies to participate in a testing phase of interactive online training. GCI will work with your team to arrange the set-up, facilitation of training, and testing of the interactive online training experience.
To express your interest in participating, reach out to us today. Contact us by phone at 281-598-7200 or by email at contact@gascertification.com. We look forward to serving your measurement training needs.