Page 24: of Marine News Magazine (January 2017)

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TRAINING & EDUCATION

Washington State Ferries:

Embarking on a Journey to Blended Learning

Today’s maritime environment places unique challenges upon operators when it comes to operational training and safety.

By Murray Goldberg and Joy Findley

The number of issues fac- One such ferry operator – the Washington State Fer- ing a typical marine orga- ries (WSF) – is exploring the use of blended learning (the nization today can be over- combination of eLearning and face-to-face training) to whelming. These include: help alleviate their training challenges. Maintaining a ? eet • Increasingly sophisticat- of 22 vessels and serving over 23 million passengers a year, ed vessels, equipment and WSF is the largest ferry system in the United States and technology the fourth largest in the world. Serving 10 routes and 20 • Limited standardization terminals, it’s easy to see how training can become a mas- when it comes to training sive undertaking given the operation’s size and complexity.

Findley Goldberg content, tools and practices

Recognizing that WSF personnel are the key to safety and • Evolving regulations that traditional training practices are progressively less able • Hiring, retaining and developing existing employees to cope with today’s demands, WSF is looking to modern- ize and standardize their already robust training programs.

Operators are struggling when it comes to the manage-

The journey towards standardized, ef? cient and highly ment and delivery of operational training. Past practices effective blended learning necessarily addresses operational such as in-class training and job shadowing are becom- challenges, measurable goals and a unique approach to the ing progressively less ef? cient and effective as training de- situation. Leveraging the Washington State Ferry blue- mands and sophistication grow. As a result, a large number print, other organizations can take away valuable insights of operators are turning to new approaches to help.

to help improve their own approach to training and safety.

January 2017

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