Starter Content
Foundational building blocks to help begin your operator and technician training program
Overview
We strongly believe that off-the-shelf content alone will not get your trainees what they need. Content must be customized to your business's specific needs and processes. However, we have a great selection of Skills that you can use as a jumping-off point. Our management console makes it easy to cut out content that's not relevant and add where you need something extra, whether it's just a picture of your own work station or an entirely new skill.
The following represent skills that we've already developed. We're continuously developing, so if there's something you need but don't see, just ask. .
Shop Terminology
Workers can't learn if they don't even know basic language. This includes terms like "thou", ream, tolerance, burr, CNC, tap, workpiece, CAD, fixture, jig, etc.
General Equipment Familiarization
Learn​ the names and purpose of typical machines found at shops, e.g., mill, lathe, bandsaw, drill press, press brake, hydraulic press, MIG/TID welders, insertion press, grinder, surface grinder, CNC punch, laser cutter, water jet, EDM, etc.
Basic Tool Familiarization
Become familiar with the name and purpose of typical hand tools found in a shop, including calipers, micrometers, taps, dies, reamers, punch, ​height gauges, gage blocks, scribe, etc.
Measurement Skills
Learn the basics of using a measuring tape, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, go/no-go gauges, dial indicators, bore gauges. While hands-on training with these tools​ is essential, if workers have a base understanding, the hands-on training can focus on "feel" rather than basics.
Shop Safety
This skill covers appropriate PPE, the importance of cleanliness, the dangers of metal cutting machinery, guards, general tool handling, when to wear gloves, and more.
Shop Math
Learn common shop units ("living 3 places to the right of the decimal", thou, mm), fractions, decimal to fraction conversion, and unit conversions.​
Drawings / Blueprints
Be able to read and understand dimensions, general tolerances, specific tolerances, common symbols, different views/projections, hole/thread callouts, line types, and an intro to GD&T.​
Common Materials
Learn the basic properties of typical materials used in shops, like aluminum, carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, brass.​
