Scientific Study Findings
An approach that achieves results
In 1986 Edward L. Levine, Ph.D., of the University of South Florida, and his assistant, Jan Cannon, completed an extensive evaluation and validation of the Power Pros™ training programs on electric transmission and distribution. They sought to evaluate the programs and determine whether Power Pros was meeting the goal of preparing employees to become journeyman line personnel. To do so, Dr. Levine and his assistant took the following actions:
- Gathered and accessed reactions to the training programs by interviewing a sample of 32 randomly selected employees.
- Performed an analysis on all line personnel job positions. They compiled a list of tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities and other desired qualities.
- Worked with a panel of experts (experienced line department incumbents) to update the list.
- Reviewed Power Pros training modules individually to A., determine the degree of correspondence between the training program and the updated job analysis and B., to check for any problems in readability, grammar, style, complexity and adequacy of resources.
- Reviewed the safety and productivity records to assess the before and after impact of the training programs.
- Observed actual training classes to determine the adequacy of instruction, the extent to which sound learning principles were followed, and the extent to which the written modules were covered.
- Obtained a review of the training modules from experts in the field. These experts relayed their reactions and recommendations.
Major findings of Dr. Levine’s report:
- Employee reactions to the training programs were overwhelmingly positive. With few exceptions, those interviewed agreed that the programs are beneficial by improving job performance and safety.
- The degree of the correspondence between the training programs and the actual job responsibilities is notably high. This conclusion is based on findings that show that the training programs cover 99 percent of the more important tasks and 94 percent of the knowledge, skills and other personal characteristics noted in the job analysis of line personnel positions.
- The vast majority of modules are understandable, adequately written and appropriate in complexity and length.
- Both safety and productivity in the Line department have improved since the introduction of the Power Pros training programs. While other factors my also account for these improvements, it is significant that both aspects have shown positive changes since the training began.
