COVID-19 has shifted learning models from in-person to virtual setting. FENC is also transitioning, partially replacing in-person training to the online or hybrid model to enrich the breadth and depth in employee training with more effectiveness.

Hahow for Business is the chosen platform for online training for FENC. When employees worked from home between May and July 2021, 11 “work from home specials” were made available for all employees covering subjects such as digital technology, second languages for business and workplace skills. The platform provides incentives for employees, using gamified learning to help them develop self-learning habits. During the pandemic, employees have accumulated over 1,460 hours of training, which is quite remarkable. To make learning more convenient, FEIS incorporated digital materials into the training platform for the first time, offering 8 hours of online courses for 168 managers. The courses cover 3 major subjects, effective communication, team building and emotional management. While meeting training needs, the online materials allow employees to get acclimated to a new learning model. FEIS is also working with in-house lecturers to develop 8 courses targeting the production process, which are scheduled for launch in 2022.

The design of the hybrid learning model is based on the course content. Pre-requisite courses are offered online to equip employees with the necessary base knowledge, followed by a shorter online or in-person interaction with the lecturers to review learning progress. Administrative Management Department in Suzhou, Mainland China collaborates with m learning 365, the e-learning platform provided by Shanghai KNX Human Resources Technology Co., Ltd., to offer online learning for employees. While the platform, content and service are built into a single destination, regular in-person sharing sessions are also conducted. Comparing to in-class learning, this hybrid model can better monitor employees’ learning progress.

To implement digital transformation, 496 FENC employees from management and trade units have completed the training for Microsoft Power BI. This training aims to facilitate data-driven decision making by extending efforts in data synchronization and consolidation as well as monitoring key indicators in real time among global FENC sites. In 2021, courses on Power BI are officially introduced to the plants overseas through live streaming. Teaching assistants were also available online to help solve problems and ensure course quality for the 170 employees overseas. International sites under Textile Business, such as FEAV and FEAZ have incorporated Power BI tools in the regular reports. It is the hope that other business units will follow suit to improve the efficiency of decision making through data visualization.