Mining Publication: Principles of Adult Learning: Application for Mine Trainers

Safety and health professionals from all sectors of industry recognize that training is a critical element of an effective safety and health program. A major concern in the mining industry is how to train both an aging workforce and the expected influx of new miners and mine managers as older workers retire. Thus, a review of some of the basic principals of adult learning may be helpful to mine trainers. This paper discusses the principals of adult learning based on research in education and psychology. It stresses the importance of taking a systems approach to training, focusing on the relationship between the environment and technology, and understanding how workers interact with both. The authors argue that the principals of adult learning and a systems approach are fundamental to the delivery of effective training in the mining industry. Examples of training programs developed by the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are presented within two broad performance domains: routine and nonroutine skills. Basics of curriculum development are also briefly presented to provide the mine trainer with a template for program development.