The Cranky Clevelander

Issue 3, September 18, 2006

Okay, here goes. I've got some training-related gripes this week. And, as you can tell, Monday is now the day for my issues.

1. Web-based training versus hands-on training. Okay, this REALLY gripes my ass. I'm in this training class because it is REQUIRED to allow me to do what I have to do for working. But, when you go to the training on the computer, things that you are supposed to do as part of the process get bypassed. Well, we'll just forget steps 1-20 because you've already done them, or you already know how to do them. How does this DAMNED computer know I know these steps, just because I passed the earlier trainings does not mean I KNOW how to do these steps. Not once did I see a complete process from start to end. I know I won't have a problem when I do it LIVE, but I want to see a complete process from start to end.

2. Web-based training SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. Okay, this is a second problem with certain web-based trainings. They are too old. The trainings are more than 2 years old. When a video says one thing about a process and the web-based training says another, which way is correct? Get your trainings on the same page! Plus, with each of the web-based trainings, make sure you have TRUE subject matter experts to review the assessments. Because these assessments require the test-taker to make 100%, any missed questions are repeated with other questions CLOSE TO the original question. But, make sure the answers for the original questions are CORRECT. I was asked a question, which I knew the answer and knew I was correct. The WBT says that I am wrong, but asks me a follow-up question. The question is basically the same as the first, which I get right. There is NO REASON to have trainings like this. No wonder why turnaround is so bad. Get the training RIGHT the first time. If it's WRONG, spend the money to get it RIGHT. Maybe you'll keep the employees who want to stay. With all the profit that is being made, SPEND some of the money to make the training correct. AND, when trainings are updated, update everything that needs to be updated.

3. Being sick. Short and to the point, if you are sick, stay home! I don't care if you lose money or time from school. When you are sick, you are sharing you sicky bugs with everyone you come in contact with, especially when you have to share computers. For some reason, sicky bugs zero in on me and decide to become GIANT mutant bugs that want to zap the life out of me. STAY HOME! I will because I am a caring, not-wanting-to-share-my-bugs adult.

4. Unpaid Internships: What the HELL is the problem with companies? For some people who want to get into your industry, an unpaid internship is completely out of the question. Especially for those people who are 35, going to college because of need to get a better degree, but also have a family, a home, and bills. Internships should be based on past experience, along with school experience. Then, a monetary amount should be considered. Example: not naming names: A woman, who is 35 years old, is in college for her Bachelor's Degree in English, but also has over 10 years experience in the working world, specifically working for a Big 4 Professional Services firm. This example person should be able to get an internship with pay based on the past experience and the fact that said person also has an Associate's Degree in Communications.

Okay, that's enough for gripes for this week. Had some good ones come up on me yesterday, which allowed me to go where this issue needed to go. It feels very therapeutic.

With gripes galore,
The Cranky Clevelander
(AKA Cathy 8^ )