New Stories of Tech from the Shop Floor

In a world that is becoming ever more connected workers traditionally referred to as ‘blue-collar’ are now leading the charge to adoption of technology in the workplace. Workers from industries like retail, construction and manufacturing are all now using ‘the computer in their pocket’ to learn, monitor and communicate at work, just as they do in their personal lives. The range of applications available allow mining workers to monitor the vibrations they are experiencing from equipment, while catering staff have access to sophisticated monitoring tools to avoid food poisoning risks to customers. Is technology becoming the new must have for blue-collar workers?

“Traditionally, office-based workers would have had greater access to hardware, software and the internet,” said Julie Currid, of GoContractor a software app designed to train workers online. “Nowadays, however, we’re seeing that blue collar workers have much greater access to technology due to mobile devices.”

During the Ebola crisis last summer, the utilization of mobile and platform technology became a matter of life and death for mine workers in Sierra Leone, at the heart of the outbreak. Australian Norm Spark, the Training and Development Superintendent at African Minerals used this mobile training software as a way to educate his staff about the ongoing crisis. “Orientation software was the obvious choice when we realized we had to communicate quickly and clearly with all of our staff about this crisis,” Spark said. GoContractor was employed as a tool to disseminate appropriate information about the crisis. As a result, information was then passed on through to local communities via word of mouth from the local staff at the plant.

Increasingly Connected

According to a survey by PewResearch, mobile technology has infiltrated every aspect of working life and has “transformed” a vast number of American jobs. “The places where crops are grown, the factory floor, and even mom-and-pop stores has been reshaped by new pathways to information and new avenues of selling goods and services,” says the survey. 61% of workers said email communication is very important when doing their job, while 24% said mobile phones are a necessity. In a separate survey, also carried out by PewResearch, 64% of U.S. adults said they own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011.

“The cost effectiveness of these devices means that all levels of worker have access to technology and information,” said Julie.

Blue-collar workers have been early adopters of new technological devices, not just mobile phones or email, but in terms of utilizing online platforms as a way to control, monitor or induct staff.

The Rise of the Tablet

Last year Sodexo, the international facilities management and services company used mobile training to induct 2,000 contract staff for the Royal Ascot horse racing festival. Sodexo was faced with the choice of either inducting their staff face-to-face or using an online platform to do the same job. They chose technology. Staff were trained on their mobile phones or tablets, allowing them to easily access the orientation materials and allowing the senior management to monitor the progress of training.

“Sodexo have been very forward thinking in their approach to learning and development,” said Alina Mazur who worked closely with Sodexo to develop their program, “They have taken advantage of improvements in technology to help their staff be prepared for every situation by training them before they start work.”

More recently, Sodexo launched a new interactive website, specifically designed for venues and events, which allows the company to communicate effectively with new and existing customers by allowing for a live online chat service and the introduction of a central sales line for their customer base.

Whether on the oil fields of the Midwest, in London department stores or, as we have seen, in the mines of Sierra Leone blue collar workers are finding benefits from new technology. What is encouraging to see is the ready takeup of these technologies that puts to the sword the traditional view that cutting edge tech is the sole preserve of white collar industry.

For more information Watch our 60 seconds Video or Take a Free Demo Today.