The Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) is now offering an online version of its popular Valve Basics Training course. In an effort to reach more industry employees, VMA adapted its place-based training to the Web with the launch of Valve Basics Online Training (VBOT).

“We recognize that not everyone can travel for training so the next best option is going online.    That’s why we’ve created an engaging and informative Valve Basics Online Training program to ensure we are providing many ways for our member companies—as well as end-users and others who work with valves and related products—to train their workforces,” said VMA President William Sandler. “This is also an important way to reach the younger generation since they are so attuned to working in a digital environment.”

According to recent VMA research, the valve industry employs 30,000 people—a 50% increase from a decade ago, provides great jobs and is expecting to add many more in the coming year.  However, the industry faces competitive challenges as the industry grays and it gets harder to find new employees, which makes it even more important to find creative ways to attract and keep them.

In response, VMA established an in-depth valve education program—Valve Ed—in 2009 to help those working in the valve industry, or the industries that use valves, train current and future valve employees. Four years after its introduction, more than 900 people have taken the 101 course, which includes a hands-on component called the “Valve Petting Zoo,” and hundreds more have ordered other educational products from the association. The new online training program will provide still another vehicle to promote valve literacy and career interest

VBOT provides eight lessons and features live narration. Students can complete the course at their own pace and will receive six hours of continuing education credits and a Certificate of Completion.  Similar to what is offered in the onsite Valves & Actuators 101 seminars, lesson topics include:

·        An Introduction to the valve industry, including pressure ratings and classes, standards organizations, valve components and more

·        Multi-turn valves

·        Check valves

·        Quarter-turn valves

·        Pressure-relief valves

·        Actuators – pneumatic, hydraulic and electric

·        Control valves

Those interested in signing up for VBOT should visit The VMA Store on www.VMA.org.Discounts are available for the Beta version: $295 per license for non-members, $235 per license for members. In addition, group licensing and company-wide discounts are available.  VMA will be making improvements and upgrades in the coming months, including adding more animation and upgraded graphics. When Version 1.0 is released—projected for the second quarter 2014, the price will rise; but Beta users will be granted access to Version 1.0.

To participate online, users need a high-speed, persistent Internet connection and a recent desktop, laptop or tablet. For more information, visit VMA’s website at www.VMA.org > Resources > Online Education or contact Abby Brown at abrown@vma.org.
ABOUT VMA: Founded in 1938, the Washington, DC-based Valve Manufacturers Association of America exclusively represents nearly 100 North American manufacturers of valves, actuators and controls, which account for about 80% of total industrial valve shipments out of U.S. and Canadian facilities. For more information, visit www.VMA.org. VMA also publishes VALVE Magazine.