Training Program Development: The DACUM System for Designing Occupational Training

About the Book

Training Program Development can be difficult for many trainers and instructional designers. It is easy to struggle with understanding the different phases of the Instructional Design Process and how to effectively put a training program together. We know the basics, such as analysis, is followed by design, which is followed by development and implementation of training, and that everything should culminate in an evaluation of the instruction. Training professionals, however, often struggle with the process of developing training programs due to a lack of clear connection between these phases. While there are valid models and concepts for each individual phase of training program development, we often treat each phase as a separate entity versus as a complete system. This tends to increase the perceived amount of time and energy needed for the overall development of a training program. In turn, this misunderstanding also leads many of us to focus on aspects that are less valuable in creating effective training programs or skipping phases altogether.Today's learning professionals face the unique challenges of not only designing programs that directly connect to what is done on the job and demonstrate successful transfer of skills (Training Transfer), but also need to be done quickly. This desire for programs to be designed quickly often leads to training designers skipping important steps in developing an effective program. Many have asked if this better, more efficient way exists. The answer is the DACUM System. DACUM, standing for Develop A CurriculUM, was developed by Robert E. Adams and has been successfully implemented by organizations. The DACUM system has experienced much success over the years because unlike many other systems for developing training programs, DACUM connects all the phases. And not only does the DACUM system connect all phases to ensure effective training program development, but it also can be done effectively in significantly less time than most traditional instructional design methods. Since its inception, however, there have been few accessible resources available on guiding someone through the DACUM system. The purpose of this book is to provide such a guide.This new book outlines Adams' DACUM system for developing occupational training in details never provided before. This book builds on his original work in DACUM: The Seminal Book to provide an updated guide to developing training the DACUM way. This book was specifically designed as a resource to guide training and learning professionals through how to directly apply the DACUM system. This resource will walk the reader through the development of a DACUM Learning Program, from the analysis of the occupation to the evaluation of the learning program. This book is for anyone that does not just want to learn about the DACUM system, but wants to learn how to apply the DACUM system to truly create effective training programs.

About the Author :
Born in Swan Lake, Manitoba, in Canada, Robert Edwin Adams is the originator of DACUM. He spent a lifetime working in the field of occupational training, most recognizably as an Occupational Training Consultant for Nova Scotia NewStart Incorporated, preparing individuals for work in low employment areas of Canada. Adams also worked with Holland College during its inception to train faculty on the DACUM System in order to properly prepare Islanders for employment opportunities. Today, Holland College is recognized as one of the most successful community colleges in Canada and has roots tied directly to the DACUM System created by Adams. Adams graduated from high school at United College Collegiate in Winnipeg, Canada. He earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Vocational Education from Bradley University, a program pioneered by the legendary vocational educator C.A. Bennett. He also taught at Red River College. Adams spent over 30 years working with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations throughout North America educating and implementing DACUM, designing training, and conducting occupational analysis. R. Lance Hogan is a Professor in the Lumpkin College of Business & Technology at Eastern Illinois University. Hogan earned a PhD from Southern Illinois University, a Master's degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration specializing in Production-Operations Management from Southeast Missouri State University, and an Associates of Arts from Mineral Area Community College. As a driven university educator who is committed to a scholar-practitioner career track, he serves industry workforce development needs while simultaneously teaching his craft and exposing students to his first-hand experiences. For over 20 years, he has worked to create and improve existing competency-based (or skill-based) training and education programs to close the skills gap. Luke J. Steinke is a Professor in the Lumpkin College of Business & Technology at Eastern Illinois University. Steinke earned a PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University, a Master's degree in Training, Development, and Performance Improvement, a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Northern Michigan University, and an Associate of Applied Science from Moraine Park Technical College. He has over 20 years of experience as an educator, trainer, and consultant and is the author of several articles and presentations in the area of occupational training analysis and design, mentoring, learning styles, and measuring instructor and program quality.