Rapid advances in technology have suddenly transformed the very fundamentals of the working world. In the field of social services, procedures that used to take hours or weeks to complete can now be performed in minutes or even seconds by high-powered computers connected to the internet and with software programs like FAMCare.
THE OLD GUARD: Experienced case workers, expert in legacy procedures, feel threatened in this new world. When new technology is introduced into an agency, journeyman caseworkers are reduced to rookie status and become trainees in their ongoing ten, twenty, or thirty year careers. Naturally, they become fearful and resistant.
THE NEW AGE: Social service agencies are changing themselves into learning organizations. Because technology has transformed not only how they do their work, but even what they do, all agencies have to become places where workers both work and learn. All employees, in order to be successful in the new workplace, will have to develop the ability to adapt and learn as required. Those who have learned to learn will become the most valuable employees in the new world.
TRAINING: The agencies that recognize the value of their long term employees are placing a new emphasis on education and training. By making training a constant for everyone in the agency, they are transforming the workplace atmosphere from "what I know" to "what I can learn" FAMCare's built in learning management module can help automate your training.
NOT JUST TECHNOLOGY: The process of installing new technologies has transformed social service agencies from strictly task-based work environments to complete learning organizations. These new "learning" environments are offering training to their employees in diverse areas. New Technology may have been the initial incentive to improve training in social service agencies, but work improvement skills like Teamwork, Problem Solving, Effective Communication, and Personal Health have followed quickly. Many are beginning Cross Training programs to teach employees "multi-skilling". Studies have shown that being able to accomplish a variety of tasks not only makes work more satisfying for employees but also enhances employee performance. Just-in-Time training, or Just-What's Needed training, is another technique being employed in this new learning environment. Outside companies like FAMCare, who provide this type of training in the technology area, have met with great success. Finally, studies have shown that individuals who participate in e-learning learn faster and retain more information than those who learned in a traditional classroom setting.
BRAVE NEW WORLD: Social Service Agencies are becoming workplaces where caseworkers both work and learn. Learning to learn is the essential new skill. If you can stop being afraid, you will find this new environment stimulating, varietal, and satisfying. Every time you learn something new, you feel more confident. More confidence leads to more peace of mind. Learning will make you happy. There is nothing to fear.
