Training Design Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

This study concerns the design of training sequences intended for animal handlers in a research center (RC), based on an ergonomic analysis of the work activity (EAWA). EAWA was conducted before the training course in order to help guide its design. In this phase, it must answer a series of questions (how to train? which training to provide?), integrate the potential diversity and variability of the trainees and of their work, and enlighten the RC on organisational changes, and their consequences. The analysis conduced on trainees' activity is also used to identify what was potentially learned during the training sessions. In line with the objectives of " constructive ergonomics " , EAWA is therefore called on as a tool used by researchers for designing and assessing a training course, a training object and tool for operators and finally a tool used to shed light on the ongoing transformations in the RC. Keywords: ergonomic analysis of the work activity, training design, animal handlers 1 Introduction The study I am presenting concerns the design of training sequences intended for animal handlers – operators responsible for animal care and animal testing – in a research centre (RC) based on an ergonomic analysis of the activity. The ergonomic analysis of the activity can be a means of designing training courses intended not only to modify operators' behaviours and attitudes to the needs of a work system but also to help them develop resources to cope with changes in their work with the aim of guaranteeing health, safety and development while ensuring the reliability and performance of this work system (Falzon, 2014). In this case, the analysis is initially conducted prior to the training in order to guide its design (Montmollin, 1974). It helps identify difficulties faced by operators or to adjust to changes in their work while bearing in mind that these difficulties may also require work situations to be transformed and skills to be identified, which have remained relatively unknown in the organisation but which may require training actions to be introduced (Lacomblez et al., 2007; Delgoulet et al., 2009). In light of the results of this analysis, training situations are proposed with a view to ensuring coherence between the training and the real work situation while protecting the health and safety of the operators (Lacomblez et al., 2007; Delgoulet et al., 2009). Within the framework of these researches, the population to be trained is well-defined and known. The activity analysis therefore serves to identify the training needs of a specific population. However, in the study that I present, it is difficult for the population to be clearly identified in advance and the prime objective is to provide training in performing a specific task. The population to be trained will be those operators who voluntarily register for a 3-day training session. The upstream activity analysis and the training course designed must be able to incorporate the potential diversity of the population to be trained, the related experiences and the skills acquired. Further to the above, when we 1 were asked to intervene, a steering group (SG) had already been appointed and had held meetings for an entire year 2. Decisions had already been taken by this SG and the content of the training had, in part, already been established: we were asked to design training workshops during which a blood sample was to be taken by the animal handlers, not all of whom would perform the task satisfactorily. Furthermore, 2 members of the SG suggested calling on a veterinarian to train the animal handlers in taking blood samples. They believed that the veterinarian should demonstrate the operation and that the animal handlers should then reproduce the operation under his/her control. Finally, 1 member of the SG felt that the animal handlers should be required to perform the operation on several species. This person echoed a point of view stated in the RC that 1 Two academics and a master student. 2 It currently consists of 3 trainers (1 reports to the national training service RC and the other 2 to a local research centre), 2 researchers attached to the local research centre, 1 technician attached to the local research centre who interact with the animal handlers and researchers. Vidal-Gomel, C. (2015). Designing a training course for animal handlers taking account of the diversity and variability of the work and the people trained. Dans G. Lindgaard & D. Moore (Coord.), Actes du 19th Trienal world congres of the International ergonomics association. Melbourne (Australie) : 9-14 août 2015.