Challenges of change

The internet and the programs that make use of it are in a constant state of change. You accept an update (usually suggested as a 'security' update), and hey presto something else no longer works. This has been the case with blogspot - suddenly getting in to edit a post is not longer available - or crashes when you try. The problem error messages assure me is Firefox. That is the internet browser program I usually use. But here I am working in IE and the same thing is happening when I try to access/edit an older post. So I will wait patiently until the programmers detect the tiny bit of code that is in conflict with another tiny bit of code and solve the problem.

Change is also one of the challenges in the area of training. No sooner have you designed a course to cover the current parameters in your industry, than hey presto a new machine/process/set of government requirements are invented. First your research and reading has to keep up with every possible change that is adopted by your industry. Then, just like the programmers, you have to search through your course material for any contrary mention or lack of mention of the change.

This is where industry-based associations are so valuable. They take off some of the stress of monitoring everything and dish up the changes in summaries. You can then choose where to go to find out the details. They act as 'scouts' leading the way safely through the jungle of change.

Sometimes paying the annual fees may seem like a lot of money for very little gain, but the cost of NOT being informed may be greater:

• Loss of course credibility if your material is not up-to-date!
• Being left behind in knowing what the industry is actually adopting or where problems are occurring.
• Leaving you out of the loop in talking to industry and asking the right questions.

All of the information industry organisations provide not only keep you informed, they keep you involved in the industry you serve. That's what maintaining a training course is all about. Being seen to offer more than your trainees could have gained elsewhere.
- Heather Sylvawood, http://www.edutechkm.com/