APTech’s Training Development and Delivery Program: knowledge and expertise driving the future of transportation
As we continue our series highlighting APTech’s new program areas, we turn the spotlight on the Training Development and Delivery Program. This area provides external clients and internal staff with customized classroom and online training on a wide range of topics as well as technology transfer activities. Nicole Slaboch, APTech’s Training Development and Delivery Program Manager, took time to offer a look into her department’s work, clientele, and evolving industry trends.
What does the Training Development and Delivery Program do?
The Training Development and Delivery Team provides a variety of services and expertise.
Development: The development side of our work involves partnering with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway Institute (NHI), State departments of transportation (DOTs), and other agencies to build impactful and engaging training courses. Training applications range from web-based asynchronous content to multiple-day, instructor-led courses. In addition to building new training content, we also revise existing training as industry practices evolve and new engagement opportunities are in demand. Through a variety of tools and resources, we cater to the needs of learners and strive to exceed our clients expectations.
Delivery: Another facet of the Training Team is the administration of a variety of training courses, including many through NHI. APTech’s senior engineers provide their expertise as lead instructors for in-person and virtual training. Subjects include, but are not limited to:
Maintenance Leadership Academy
Principles and Practices for Enhanced Maintenance Management Systems
Constructing and Inspecting Asphalt Paving Projects
Asphalt Pavement Preservation: Project Design, Application, and Inspection
Asphalt Pavement Evaluation and Rehabilitation
Financial Planning for Transportation Asset Management
Introduction to Transportation Asset Management
Developing a Transportation Asset Management Plan
Program Administration: APTech’s Training Team administers the Nevada Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and the Western Region Tribal Transportation Assistance Program (TTAP). These programs provide a wide range of training and technical assistance to the areas they serve. Both Nevada LTAP and the Western TTAP offer impactful and accessible services that focus on workforce development, business acumen, and of course, everything related to local and statewide transportation and infrastructure.
What does this group deliver for our clients and employees?
We offer clients comprehensive training services that span from the development process to the facilitation phase, in partnership with our engineering staff. Through the application of adult learning principles and best practices, we ensure high-quality transportation education in coordination with agencies and DOTs nationwide.
It is our mission to ensure every professional who engages in our training is equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to drive the future of transportation forward. We take great pride in being a pivotal part of the education of participants under FHWA, NHI, state DOTs, and many local agencies.
We work with different program areas to develop and support internal training when appropriate. Additionally, we work closely with our engineers as they are pivotal to our training development projects and instruct a wide range of courses we oversee.
What are some of the biggest training challenges in the industry today?
Finding the time for training seems to be one of the biggest struggles these days. How can agencies find the time when every season seems to be so demanding? In seeking to remedy this issue, we have increased our online asynchronous training developments. This training format allows learners to complete courses when it is convenient for them without compromising quality, engagement, or learning outcomes.
Although it is not a challenge with training itself, we have seen agencies use training as an opportunity to empower employees within their roles and support retention and job satisfaction. We witness the impact quality training has on agencies through positive feedback and the outreach for additional training initiatives.
What trends are you seeing in the training industry these days?
Microlearning – Microlearning aligns best with the time restraints of learners while also addressing attention and engagement needs. Such courses are accessed online and typically do not exceed 15 minutes in length. Research shows that learners are more receptive and focused on microlearning than the traditional structure of training courses.
Gamification – Gamification continues to be a priority in the field. Seeking new and innovative ways to engage learners and assist in content retention is essential to any successful training.
AI Applications – As it goes with any industry, AI is a hot topic in training. Developers are seeking new ways to build and create an increase in learner participation with the assistance of AI applications.
Soft Skills – Nothing like going back to the basics! Leadership, communication, time management, innovation, conflict resolution, and presentation skills are just a few of the most common soft skills. These foundational skills are a focus among all industries.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I have lots of hobbies! I enjoy two-step dancing to live music, cooking, cycling, reading, gardening, sending snail mail, and camping to name a few! I’ve more recently embarked on the lifelong journey of learning how to play golf, which will keep me busy in the coming months.
This continues a new series where we will feature our five new program areas at APTech. In each installment, leaders from each department will discuss their work and their program’s place in the future of pavement engineering, research, training, and asset management.
Learn more about our Training Development and Delivery services.