b'JOB TRAININGTHE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TRAINING BY ELMER HAAN,PRESIDENT OF THE SIAC WESTERN CANADA CHAPTERT he COVID-19 pandemic was first learned about inThe few training providers able to remain open dealt with small late 2019 and early 2020. No one at the time couldclass sizes and added online components, allowing them to offer have predicted the effect it would have on peoplesa blended learning model. Students were able to complete the daily lives worldwide. in-class theory portion of their training online and were scheduled In March of 2020, while most of the world was shut down, hereindividually to come in and complete the practical component of the training in person.in the province of Alberta only businesses that were deemed essential were allowed to remain open. The effect this would haveSince June of this year, most businesses have been able to reopen on training was dependent on the training providers market andtheir doors, and most training providers are now open for on their ability to deliver training safely. business. However, they have come to the realization that things are not anywhere near as they were prior to the pandemic.Many guidelines were put in place, however the one that had the largest effect was the need for social distancing. This meant a newWith no vaccine readily available (at time of writing, none have way of managing the training environment, keeping studentsbeen approved) to combat COVID-19, and with the effect this and staff a minimum of two metres (six feet) apart and addingcontinues to have on the economy, training numbers are down.sanitization requirements. In order to stay open, many trainingAlthough it is difficult to predict the future, there are a few providers would need to reduce class sizes to ensure they met theknowns: blended learning is here to stay, and there will also social distancing requirements. With all the unknowns, a largebe a need for in-class training. However, with technology ever percentage made the decision to temporarily close their doors. changing, what that will look like remains to be seen. 14THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCAFFOLD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA'