Evaluation of Manual Skill Degradation Due to Automation in Apparel Manufacturing

Manual skill degradation is a common problem that production managers face in assembly lines due to frequent changes in batch styles. Since the advancement in automated machinery, reliance on manual machines has been reduced. However, due to the high cost of fully automated machinery, it is still not available on a large scale in apparel manufacturing setups as most of the setups are in developing countries. Few related studies regarding the effects of automation on manual skills have been conducted in aviation and other emerging technological advanced fields; little focus was given on the effects of automation in apparel manufacturing. This exploratory study examines automation-induced performance degradation in the apparel production line. Sixty-seven sewing machine operators were initially trained on manual sewing machines to learn a complex production operation. Then, participants were divided randomly into three groups to experience varied amount of automation exposure. The manual machine group (MMG)kept working on the manual machines after the initial training and skill development. In contrast, the automation group (AG) shifted to automated pocket setting machines after skill development. Finally, the refresher training group (RTG) rotated between manual and automated machines after the skill development. The skill retrieval assessment was carried out after six weeks in the production line. The result of an independent t-test showed no significant differences among performances of the three groups after the initial training stage. A significant increase in the average single cycle time (ASCT) and decrease in the right-first-time percent (RFT %) was found in the AG while the ASCT decreased and the RFT% increased among the MMG after the retention interval. The RTG almost maintained its production output and the ASCT due to refresher training drills. Relevance to industry: Production managers usually maintain a skill set among the operators to run the production line smoothly. Therefore, capacity development drills of sewing operators are essential to maintain an efficient required skill set.

Standardisation of Staff Training to Increase Efficiency

In any industry or organization, personnel training is emphasized with reference to National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) guidelines and other globally accepted guidelines. In spite of many refresher training programs, the pharmaceutical industry still faces significant variations in individual/ team efficiency and productivity. Individuals/teams given the same task, SOPs, environment and materials continue to produce significantly different results reflecting the possibility of operating on different sets of theoretical and practical information, which may stem from differing trainer, training program or training method. This study focused on using a standardized manual for training two teams A and B involved in vaccine production, as a tool to increase employee efficiency, productivity and quality, at a Livestock vaccine manufacturing company, with an objective to shorten the supply chain of vaccines (starting with Newcastle disease vaccine I-2 strain) to improve product quality, availability and affordability up to rural household level and back yard farmers. Baseline data was collected from four pre-training production batches and compared with data collected from three post-training production batches. The results showed that a tailored standardized training was effective in achieving the same level of efficiency, regardless of how late or soon the member joined the facility, and who conducted the training. The process of training staff, using a company tailored standardized manual, was shown to be successful within this company’s set up and could potentially be applied to other industries that are struggling with implementation of uniform information to their staff.

The use of low-cost ruggedized Android tablets to augment in-service training of community health workers in Mukono, Uganda: perspectives and lessons learned from the field

Background: Despite potential for community health workers (CHWs) to effectively reduce morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, they still face multiple barriers including access to on-going and refresher training. Digital technology offers a potential solution to improve the provision of ongoing training for CHWs. Objectives: This report shares participant insights and experiences following the implementation of a mobile health (mHealth) assisted Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) refresher training programme for CHWs in Mukono, Uganda. We seek to document benefits and challenges of such an approach. Methods: CHWs were trained to recognize, treat and prevent childhood pneumonia via locally made videos preloaded onto low cost, ruggedized Android tablets. Subsequent interviews were compiled with key stakeholders including CHWs, CHW leaders and programme supervisors to better understand the strengths, barriers and lessons learned following the interven- tion. Results: Success factors included the establishment of CHW leadership structures, the ability to use the tablets to learn on an “any pace, any place” basis and using the tablets to conduct community teaching and outreach. Barriers included appro- priate consideration of the implementation timeline and avoiding a “one size fits all” approach to digital literacy training. Conclusions: The strength of the program stemmed from a grassroots approach that prioritized stakeholder input at all stages. Leadership at a local level, a history of local engagement and trust built up over a period time were also integral. As organizations aim to scale up digitally enhanced training initiatives, it is paramount that attention is paid to these human factors which are key for program success. Keywords: Low-cost ruggedized Android tablets; in-service training; community health workers; Mukono.

Public attitudes towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and performance in Singapore

Background Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rates remain fairly low through most communities despite multiple interventions through the years. Understanding the attitudes and fears behind CPR training and performance would help target education and training to raise the rates of bystander CPR and consequently survival rates of victims. 7909 participants at a single-day mass CPR training session in Singapore were given survey questionnaires to fill out. 6473 people submitted completed forms upon the conclusion of the training session. Some issues looked at were the overall level of difficulty of CPR, difficulty levels of specific skills, attitudes towards refresher training, attitudes towards performing CPR, and fears when doing so. Results The mean level of difficulty of CPR was rated 3.98 (scale of 1–10), with those with previous CPR training rating it easier. The skills rated most difficult were performing mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions, while the easiest rated was recognizing non-responsiveness. A majority (69.7%) would agree to go for refresher training every 2 years and 88.7% felt everyone should be trained in CPR. 71.6% would perform full CPR for a member of the public in cardiac arrest and only 20.7% would prefer to only do chest compressions. The most cited fear was a low level of confidence, and fears of acquiring infections or aversion to mouth-to-mouth breathing were low. Conclusions The survey results show that most participants in Singapore are keen to perform conventional CPR for a member of the public and can help to target future CPR training accordingly.

Development of Novel Video-Based First Responder Opioid Hazard Refresher Training

First responders encounter many hazards in the execution of their duties, and exposure to hazardous materials such as opioids is a primary safety concern. The ongoing opioid crisis in the United States continues to be a major public health issue, with overdose deaths from opioids reaching epidemic levels. Although responders frequently encounter opioids, available data on safety and risk are not always well-communicated, and we identified a need for refresher and just-in-time training products on this topic. In response, we created a training video series that is informative, concise, and visually appealing. The video series, available on YouTube, was tested with a small initial population, with findings suggesting key questions for a larger study focused on integration of the refresher training with existing programs to optimize retention and adoption of safety practices.

Impact of malaria diagnostic refresher training programme on competencies and skills in malaria diagnosis among medical laboratory professionals: evidence from Ghana 2015–2019

Background The quality of malaria test results is crucial for optimal patient treatment and care. The Ghana Health Service is successfully shifting from presumptive clinical diagnosis and treatment of malaria to the Test, Treat and Track (T3) initiative. In line with the initiative, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) set out to improve the capacity of medical laboratory professionals in Ghana through a five-day Malaria Diagnostic Refresher Training (MDRT) to build competencies and skills in malaria diagnosis, especially in the three components of microscopy: parasite detection, species identification and parasite quantification. This study evaluates the impact of the training on malaria microscopy. Methods The training which was based on the World Health Organization basic malaria microscopy training guide employed presentations and practical approaches to malaria diagnosis. A total number of 765 medical laboratory professionals from various health facilities across the country were trained every other year from 2015 to 2019 and were included in this evaluation. Evaluation of this training was done using pre-test and post-test microscopy scores. The Negative Binomial fixed effect model was used in determining the overall effect of the training in improving the competencies of the participants on malaria microscopy. Results The ability of the medical laboratory professionals to correctly detect malaria parasites increased significantly from a median score of 64% prior to the training to 87% after the training (p < 0.001). The competencies of the medical laboratory scientists to correctly identify malaria parasite species and quantify the number of malaria parasites increased significantly from a median score of 17% and 20% pre-test to 78% and 50% post-test, respectively (p < 0.001). The results showed that participants’ competency level and skill to perform malaria microscopy (species identification, parasite quantification and detection of malaria parasites) increased by approximately two folds after the training compared to the no-training scenario (adjusted rate ratio = 2.07, 95% CI 2.01–2.13, p < 0.001). Conclusion The MDRT programme significantly improved participants’ performance of malaria microscopy over a short period of time.

An Innovative Vaccinator Training Program

Vaccinations offer the only real resolution to the pandemic. Masks and distance help keep the virus at bay, but they are not long-term solutions. Effective vaccines are now reaching millions in high-income countries, and, in time, they will reach underserved regions. The missing link in the vaccination chain will be trained people to administer them in local communities. Without trained workers, vaccination programs grind to a halt. Large organizations and governments can provide the vaccines, but where will low-resource countries find enough trained people to vaccinate the population? The objective of the program described here is to train people at the local level to move vaccines safely from central drop-off points to communities, to prepare the communities for vaccinations, to properly screen patients, to administer vaccinations, to monitor patients after the shot for adverse effects following injection (AEFI) and to educate the community on the need to get vaccinated and on vaccine safety. This program trains grassroots vaccinators to perform these tasks and offers refresher training to retired medical professionals called back into service to help with vaccinations. Each vaccinator will receive 20 hours of WiRED’s curriculum based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) vaccination protocols. Further, students will receive an additional 20 hours of instruction on basic health, including human anatomy and physiology, principles of infectious disease control, and coronavirus infections. These frontline workers also will receive an additional five hours of clinical vaccination practice.