EADS Matra Datavision to expand training programmes

Citation

(2001), "EADS Matra Datavision to expand training programmes", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773cab.016

EADS Matra Datavision to expand training programmes

EADS Matra Datavision to expand training programmes

Keywords: EADS Matra Datavision, Training, CAE

EADS Matra Datavision, a leading supplier of solutions and services to the engineering sector world-wide, reports a 50 per cent increase in demand for its training services during 2000. The Coventry-based company, which provides courses covering a range of leading computer-aided engineering (CAE) technologies, has responded to customer demand by extending the range and format of education on offer.

Classroom-based training in CATIA V4, CATIA V5 and EUCLID3 forms the basis of the training programme, ranging in skills levels from basic introductory modules to management overviews and advanced applications.

The courses, which vary in length from one day to five days, are delivered by training specialists who are also engineers with wide-ranging experience. This ensures that the trainer knows the students' needs and the training is placed in a context that students understand, thereby enhancing the students' ability to apply their newly acquired skills in the workplace.

Matra Datavision's goal is to meet both the individual and company's training needs by providing the components of a planned skills development programme, as Caz Callan, Matra Datavision UK's training manager, explains.

Our philosophy is that "Technology alone isn't enough, it's the people who make the difference. This has been embraced by customers who believe that it is important to maximise their engineers' skills, boosting their confidence and enabling them to increase their productivity levels. But our training services do not start and end in the classroom. Many students have benefited from on-site consolidation and coaching where they get the chance to put what they have learned theoretically into practice.

A service that is said to be proving particularly popular with Matra Datavision's customers is the skills audit. During this cross-functional investigation into a company's business context, any gap between skills requirements and the actual skills profile of the department is evaluated, enabling the management to put in place individual training and development plans for their people.

"Departments need to ensure that they have the right mix of skills and competencies with which to achieve their goals", Caz continues. "During a skills audit we look at how to achieve the necessary mix of skills and competencies in a company to move its business on. We then support the application of these skills in the workplace to ensure that both the people and the company are getting the best results from skills learned in the classrooms."

This "quick start" approach, Matra Datavision believes, is the first step a company should take when looking into training. It quickly highlights any discrepancy between departmental goals and existing skill sets and competencies. The next stage is to put in place individual training and development plans to ensure the correct mix of skills to achieve objectives. This plan may involve a combination of standard training, consolidation and coaching work.

Details available from: EADS Matra Datavision Limited. Tel: +44 (0) 2476 857700; Fax: +44 (0) 2476 693920; E-mail: c-pitcher@coventry.matra-dtv.fr