How to Source & Purchase Technical Training Equipment
How to Source & Purchase Technical Training Equipment
Technical Training Equipment's are used by colleges, polytechnics, universities and companies to create realistic learning environments for students to train for professional skills, often industrial.
Setting up an effective training environment at the right cost and risk requires many considerations, and that's what this blog post is going to cover in a straightforward and condensed (no bullshit) manner.
- Our promise: after reading this blogpost you will be more than ready to jump straight into the works of developing your own training center
Let's have a look at what we will cover, summarized below:
As you can see we have separated this process into eight phases, with their own activities and goals. In the blogpost below we will explain each phase in detail, with a large amount of tips to make sure you have all the tools necessary for managing your project.
- Bonus: at the end of the blogpost you will find a link to download this blogpost as a free eBook, complete with templates to help you stay organized.
Ready to get started? Let's jump right in!
Index:
Chapter 1: Form Your Framework Through Preparatory Work
Chapter 2: Baseline of Existing Training Technologies
Chapter 3: Consider Physical Limitations of your Training Environment
Chapter 4: Establishing Relevant Sourcing Parameters
Chapter 5: Sourcing Technical Training Equipment (the search)
Chapter 6: Procuring Technical Training Equipment (negotiating the offer)
Chapter 7: Purchasing Technical Training Equipment (placing the order)
Chapter 8: Management & Maintenance of your Training Environment
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Chapter 1: Form Your Framework Through Preparatory Work
If you are developing a technical learning environment, a vocational workshop, or an engineering lab, this will most likely be to support a specific course, a training program, a full diploma or even a degree.
We know it's exciting to start looking into instructional technology, equipment and learning systems, but before jumping into this, let&#;s take a step back and explore the reasoning for why we are doing what we are doing, let's form our framework.
Ask yourself, is all the preparatory work done and do we have a sound logic for what we are trying to achieve? At Edquip we use to suggest that you at least explore the five levels of analysis below, before you start evaluating training tools.
Training Needs Analysis
Your training center (whether its public, private or enterprise) has identified all possible foreseeable workforce needs for your country, region, or enterprise. Essentially this means that you have a clear list of which jobs (trades & occupations) will be in demand and you have prioritized them accordingly.
Job Analysis
For each job identified in step 1 &#; you have established a panel of experts consisting of: subject matter experts, top trainers, coaches, assessors etc. with a deep level of understanding of the job function. This panel has closely reviewed, listed, and segmented into units the various work tasks associated with each job. Essentially this means you already know clearly which tasks needs to be performed at each job.
Identification of Competencies
The list of tasks identified in step 2 has thereafter been mapped by the panel to the awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and competencies which the learners need to acquire, in order to do the job well. Essentially this means that you have traced back and identified what the learners need to learn.
Competency Development Framework
The competency development framework you have developed, is neatly tying together the different jobs, units, individual tasks and the awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and competencies that learners needs to acquire to perform each task. This is formulated into learning areas and the key is that each piece of learning is measurable and verifiable to a standard level required.
Development of Curriculum & Training Programs
The successful German dual education system combines apprenticeships in a company simultaneously with education and training at a vocational school, within one course. The competency development framework from step 4 above, should be translated into curriculum and teaching material for both on and off the work training (for dual systems), alternatively just for class-based training systems. Emphasis should be on both theoretical and practical exercises and ideally plotted to existing courses and resources.
As explained in the five steps process above, you should have a clear understanding about which jobs your training centers should be preparing learners for. You should understand which are the tasks necessary to be performed in each job, and what awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies the learners need to acquire to perform their job well.
You should also have a competency development framework (CDF) which indicates measurable and verifiable learning experiences to a standard level required. When that is then translated into curriculum and teaching materials you have a good foundation of steering documents for supporting your acquisition process for didactic training equipment.
Chapter 2: Baseline of Existing Training Technologies
Do you have a current training center with existing technology? Are you unsure if your training systems and equipment are up to date? You might ask yourself these types of questions when you are to revamp, extend, or scale-up your training program.
Perhaps the easiest way to assess your existing training equipment is by analyzing if it can support effective learning of the skills which your training center is supposed to teach.
List all Skills & Competencies
First, make sure you have a clear picture of which skills and competencies are to be taught, and that they are measurable and verifiable to a standard level required (Chapter 1).Also, while workforce development takes a long time to implement and assess, technology development is only accelerating into shorter and shorter development and adoption cycles.
Therefore, it is critical to highlight the importance of not only focusing on CURRENT workforce needs, but also on FUTURE workforce needs. To properly include future workforce needs we suggest analyzing both local industry needs and predictions, as well as global macro technology trends for the near to medium future.
List all Instructional Technologies
Second, take stock of the different types of instructional technologies and educational tools which you have available for learners in your training center. Make sure to include, machines, equipment, hardware training systems, e-learning, software simulation tools, virtual reality training, educational contents etc.
Ideally you should know which type of skills each training system can effectively teach, the depth of the knowledge transferred and the richness of the learning experience.
Map Skills to Technologies
Third, map the two lists of (a) Skills & Competencies and (b) Instructional Technologies towards each other, this exercise will make it clear:
- which Skills & Competencies are well met and supported, poorly covered, or totally unaddressed by the existing Instructional Technology.
- which Instructional Technology is currently adequate, which should be reviewed, and which is superfluous for training the desired Skills & Competencies.
The goal of this exercise is to be able to swiftly decide which existing training equipment should be reviewed further before we decide to keep, or to discard them.
Evaluate / Assess existing training equipment
There are various reasons as to why we want to implement educational technology, namely improving learning outcomes, instructional processes, access to learning and scalability, lowering costs, increasing organizational capacity etc.
Considering these different reasons, we have aggregated the below list of parameters to make evaluation and assessment as easy as possible. Since priorities differ between each training provider, we suggest that you use the below parameters in any combination and with whichever weighting that makes sense for you.
Learning Outcomes:
- Subject knowledge (level of content quality, student outcome)
- Hand skills preparedness (degree of hands-on, physically applied, kinesthetic learning)
- Problem solving (degree of included fault diagnostics, troubleshooting processes)
- Job readiness (degree to which the technology is the same as used in future job)
- Technology literacy (degree of preparation to work in a digital environment)
- Information literacy (promotes reflective and critical discovery of information)
Instructional Processes:
- Safety aspects (degree of which safety requirements are considered)
- Collaboration & teamwork (didactic approach to small group work)
- Teaching efficiency (is process and approach efficient considering trainer time)
- Trainer workload (will workload decrease or increase)
- Subject knowledge (level of content quality, trainer outcome)
Access & Scalability
- Reach (degree of off-premises access to learning experience)
- Simulations (degree of pre-class simulation training to increase learning effectiveness)
- Tech support (availability of tech support from producer, supplier, distributor etc.)
- Total cost of ownership (purchase costs, ongoing costs, maintenance costs etc.)
- Use whichever parameters are important for you, assess the existing training equipment and decide which are worth keeping.
Planning of Training Environment
Once you know which training equipment makes sense to keep, and which to discard, it&#;s time to dig into planning your training environment. The training environment is the room, workshop, or laboratory in which you will be conducting the training.
The better that such an environment is initially planned and organized, the higher use and lower cost the final training environment will have.
Good planning of the training environment starts by knowing which occupations we are training for, which exact tasks are performed at each job, what needs to be learnt, and at which verifiable and standard level required (chapter 1).
Furthermore, it is important that the design has utilization in mind, that it includes elaborations of learning concepts, room data sheets with descriptions of utilization and with input from all prospective users of the learning space.
Based on such understanding it is possible to decide what type of equipment and training systems should be used, and how to physically organize them in the learning environment for the highest potential learning output.
In the next chapter we will explore the physical layout and limitations.
Chapter 3: Consider Physical Limitations of your Training Environment
Considerations related to the physical space where the training equipment will be housed are crucial. Here are some parameters associated with the building and space requirements:
Space Availability
Assess the available space in your training facility to determine if it can accommodate the size and layout of the equipment. Consider factors such as floor space, wall clearance, and room dimensions.
Ceiling Heights
Ensure that the ceiling heights in the training area are sufficient to accommodate any tall or overhead equipment. This is particularly important for equipment such as industrial machinery or overhead projectors.
Door Frame Sizes and Elevators
Measure the door frame sizes to ensure that the equipment can be easily moved in and out of the training area without encountering obstacles. If the workshop or lab space is not on the ground floor, consider if they fit within the elevators of the building.
Ventilation and Airflow
Evaluate the ventilation and airflow systems in the training area to ensure adequate circulation of air, especially if the equipment generates heat or emissions. Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining a comfortable and safe learning environment.
Electrical and Power Requirements
Determine the electrical and power requirements of the equipment, including voltage, wattage, and outlet specifications. Ensure that the training area has sufficient electrical capacity to support the equipment without overloading circuits.
Flooring and Surface Considerations
Choose flooring materials that are durable and suitable for the type of equipment being used. Consider factors such as slip resistance, impact absorption, and ease of cleaning.
Storage and Workspace Organization
Plan for adequate storage space to store the equipment when not in use, as well as space for students to work and collaborate during training sessions. Consider storage solutions such as cabinets, shelves, or dedicated equipment rooms.
Acoustic Considerations
Assess the acoustic properties of the training area to minimize noise disruptions and ensure a conducive learning environment. Consider acoustic treatments such as soundproofing materials or acoustic panels if necessary.
Lighting Conditions
Evaluate the lighting conditions in the training area to ensure sufficient illumination for safe and comfortable operation of the equipment. Consider factors such as natural light, artificial lighting, and glare reduction.
Health and Safety Regulations
Ensure that the training area complies with health and safety regulations and building codes relevant to the type of equipment being used. This includes requirements for fire safety, emergency exits, and hazard prevention.
Chapter 4: Establishing Relevant Sourcing Parameters
Before starting the search, we recommend that you establish the parameters which are important to achieve the goals in your learning environment. The relative importance of each parameter is always different for each situation and institution, which is why the list below is presented in no particular order.
Relevance to Curriculum
Ensure that the equipment aligns with the curriculum or learning objectives of your training program. It should cover the necessary topics and skills that students need to learn. If you have done your homework in Chapter 1, this will be a piece of cake.
Effectiveness of Teaching
To which extent does the training equipment transfer; subject knowledge; technology literacy; and hands-on preparedness to the learners? What non-biased proof of such knowledge and skills transfer exists?
Quality and Durability
Invest in high-quality equipment that is durable and built to withstand frequent use. Quality equipment will last longer and provide a better learning experience.
Safety Features
Safety should be a top priority when selecting training equipment. Ensure that the equipment meets safety standards and includes features to protect users from accidents or injuries.
User-Friendly Interface
Choose equipment with a user-friendly interface that is easy for students to operate and understand. Intuitive controls and clear instructions can enhance the learning experience.
Scalability and Expandability
Consider whether the equipment can be easily scaled or expanded to accommodate future growth or changes in your training program. This includes compatibility with additional modules or accessories.
Technical Support and Maintenance
Look for equipment that comes with reliable technical support and maintenance services. This can include training for instructors, troubleshooting assistance, and warranty coverage.
Integration with Technology
If applicable, consider whether the equipment integrates with other technology platforms or software tools used in your learning environment. Compatibility with digital learning platforms can enhance the overall learning experience.
Cost-Effectiveness
Evaluate the cost of the equipment relative to its features, quality, and durability. Choose equipment that offers good value for your budget and long-term investment.
Feedback and Reviews
Research feedback and reviews from other educators or institutions that have used the equipment. This can provide valuable insights into its effectiveness and reliability.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Select equipment that provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. Interactive exercises and real-world simulations can help reinforce theoretical concepts and practical skills.
Versatility and Flexibility
Look for equipment that can be used for a variety of exercises and simulations, allowing students to explore different scenarios and applications within the subject area.
Portability and Storage
Depending on your needs, consider the portability of the equipment and whether it can be easily transported or stored when not in use. This is especially important for mobile training units or programs with limited space.
Industry Standards and Certifications
If applicable, choose equipment that meets industry standards or certifications relevant to the field of study. This can help students gain credibility and recognition in the job market.
Data Collection and Analysis Capabilities
Look for equipment that allows students to collect and analyze data, providing opportunities for practical experimentation and research. This can be particularly beneficial in STEM fields.
Integration with Real-World Equipment
If possible, select equipment that integrates with or simulates real-world industrial or laboratory equipment. This can provide students with valuable hands-on experience and familiarity with industry-standard tools.
Collaborative Learning Features
Consider whether the equipment supports collaborative learning experiences, such as group projects or team-based exercises. Features like multi-user interfaces or networking capabilities can facilitate collaboration among students.
Customization and Personalization Options
Choose equipment that offers customization or personalization options, allowing instructors to tailor the learning experience to the specific needs and interests of their students.
Feedback Mechanisms
Look for equipment that provides feedback mechanisms, such as performance metrics or error tracking, to help students monitor their progress and identify areas for improvement.
Language requirements
Is the content language available either in the mother tongue of my learners, or can they manage with content in a secondary well spread global language?
Workload on Educator
To which extent does the training system add to or decrease the workload of the educator? Does it improve upon current existing processes which the educator needs to perform anyways, or does it add more administrational tasks for the educator which might not have an obvious value?
Environmental Impact
Evaluate the environmental impact of the equipment, including factors such as energy efficiency, recyclability, and use of sustainable materials. Choose equipment that minimizes its carbon footprint and environmental footprint overall.
Chapter 5: Sourcing Technical Training Equipment (the search)
The goal of the search is to initially go wide to get the lay of the land, and then go deep to come up with a handful of training systems that at initial sight meet your requirements. Below we have listed a few common ways to search for training equipment, you can use any combination of these or decide to stick with one.
Online marketplaces
The easiest way to do your search is through an online marketplace for technical training equipment. Choose one that specialize on instructional technology, such as edquip.
- First go wide by exploring different product categories, what professions or industries do you plan to train for?
- Each product category has quality products from various manufacturers, so you can easily read up on competing products.
- Put together a short list of the products which best meet your needs and compare these products alongside each other.
- Request quotations from the Vendors, and if necessary, use the integrated chat function to reach the desired product configuration and offering.
- Compare the proposals or quotations to each other, and decide which equipment best meets your needs and which you would like to acquire.
- Initiate procurement and make the escrow payment, your funds will only be released to the Vendor as and when they reach different performance milestones.
- Once your equipment has been delivered and installed, make sure you give back to the community by submitting a product review of the equipment you bought.
You can find more information here: on how edquip makes education procurement easy.
Professional Networks
Reach out to colleagues, educators, or professionals in your field who may have experience with sourcing didactic training equipment or other instructional technology. They can provide recommendations, insights, and referrals to reputable suppliers or manufacturers. If you don&#;t know where to start you can browse through the resources and network on the UNESCO-UNEVOC website.
Industry news
There are many trade publications, blogs, journals etc. where you can read about successful approaches, best practices, and industry developments. Two suggestions would be TVET Journal and Technical Education Post. Other sources of good information are industry associations, for example WorldDidac or ACTE.
Visit trade fairs
There are many yearly trade fairs globally focusing on teaching materials and systems in one form or another. They all have a bit different profile, early childhood, digital solutions, corporate learning etc. Some well-known trade fairs are: GESS, BETT, Didacta, WorldDidac, ACTE Career Tech Vision, E-Learning Africa, Edutech Australia etc.
If you visit these trade fairs, make sure you set up meetings with the exhibitors before you go so that the visit will be as effective as possible.
Manufacturer Websites
Visit websites of manufacturers of educational training equipment. Many companies have online catalogues, but the product data and proposals are always structured differently which makes comparison between companies very difficult and tedious.
Local Distributors
In most markets there are distributors or resellers available which can find a solution for a specific need. These distributors will not give you different options, your choice will be limited since they do not represent competing product lines from different manufacturers.
Hire a Consultant
If your budget allows you to get expert advice and facilitation on either preparatory works or deeper product evaluation, this can be a further assurance that you do things the best way.
Chapter 6: Procuring Technical Training Equipment (evaluating different offers)
Once you have searched and found suitable training technologies your sourcing phase has come to an end and you will step into the procurement phase. In the procurement phase the goal is to find the best value for money, which means that you will be interacting with suppliers of the different products you have identified.
The first step is to request quotations from the manufacturers, which can be done through an online marketplace like Edquip, it is time to request quotations to understand the general costs and some common terms for the future purchase.
Equipment Costs
Compare the costs of the equipment proposed by different suppliers. Consider not only the initial purchase price but also any additional fees or charges associated with customization, upgrades, or optional accessories.
Ongoing Costs
Evaluate the long-term costs associated with maintaining and operating the equipment. This may include expenses such as consumables, replacement parts, software licenses, and maintenance contracts. Assess whether these ongoing costs fit within your budget constraints.
Incoterms
Review the proposed Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) to understand the responsibilities and obligations of both the buyer and the seller regarding the delivery of the equipment. This includes aspects such as transportation, insurance, and risk transfer.
Shipping Costs
Consider the shipping costs associated with transporting the equipment from the supplier's location to your facility. Evaluate whether the proposed shipping method and carrier are cost-effective and reliable. Air freight is quick, but sea freight is more economical.
Importation Costs
Assess any importation costs or customs duties that may apply when bringing the equipment into your country. Factor in taxes, tariffs, and other fees to accurately estimate the total landed cost of the equipment.
Installation, Commissioning, Training
Review the proposal to determine whether installation, commissioning, and training services are included. Evaluate the scope of these services, including the duration, level of support, and training materials provided.
Warranty
Examine the warranty terms offered by the supplier to ensure adequate coverage for the equipment. Pay attention to the duration of the warranty, what is covered (e.g., parts, labor), and any exclusions or limitations.
Lead Time
Consider the lead time required for manufacturing, delivery, and installation of the equipment. Understand that education equipment manufacturers normally &#;produce-to-order&#; as opposed to selling &#;off-the-shelf&#; products. Evaluate whether the proposed timeline aligns with your project schedule and training program timelines.
Technical Specifications and Compliance
Ensure that the proposed equipment meets your technical specifications and complies with relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety requirements. Verify that the equipment is suitable for your intended use and learning objectives.
Supplier Reputation and Support
Research the reputation and track record of the supplier to assess their reliability, customer service, and technical support capabilities. Consider factors such as references, reviews, and past performance when evaluating the proposal.
Payment Terms
Review the proposed payment terms, financing options, and payment schedules offered. Do these payment terms align to the risk you are prepared to take? If you are looking for a lower risk profile with a Letter of Credit (LC), evaluate if the extensive work associated is necessary, or if the escrow solutions offered by Edquip meets your needs.
Potential Negotiation
Once you have an overview of the costs and the terms of comparable equipment, this is a time when you should make sure that any offers are suitable for your needs and that you accept the terms and conditions. If you think that there is room for negotiation either in price or regarding any of the terms, this is the time to ask for it, before you decide which equipment to buy. Once an offer is accepted, the Vendors are typically not keen on any negotiation.
Chapter 7: Purchasing Technical Training Equipment (placing the order)
After evaluating the different offers and potentially negotiating, you will enter into the phase of purchasing, which is to actively enter into a contract with suppliers, to pay for and to receive products and services according to the terms agreed.
Dolang contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Below are a number of important parameters to consider throughout the product purchasing phase.
Budget Management
Track expenses closely to ensure that the purchase stays within the allocated budget. Monitor costs related to equipment purchase, shipping, importation, installation, training, and ongoing maintenance.
Vendor Communication
Maintain clear and open communication with the selected vendor(s). Keep track of all correspondence, to ensure that expectations are aligned and any issues are addressed promptly.
Procurement Timeline
Monitor the progress of the procurement process to ensure that it stays on schedule. Keep track of key milestones, such as order placement and confirmation, production lead times, shipping, and delivery dates, and execution of installation, commissioning, and training, to avoid delays.
Quality Assurance
Verify that the equipment meets quality standards and specifications outlined in the proposal or contract. Conduct inspections upon delivery to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and free from defects or damage.
Compliance and Documentation
Ensure that all necessary documentation, including contracts, invoices, shipping documents, and certificates of compliance, are in order. Keep track of any regulatory requirements or certifications needed for the equipment.
Risk Management
Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with the procurement process, such as supply chain disruptions, delivery delays, or quality issues. Develop contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges and minimize their impact.
Payment Processing
Manage payments according to the agreed-upon terms and conditions outlined in the contract or purchase order. Keep track of payment deadlines, methods of payment, and any invoicing discrepancies that may arise. Coordinate with finance or procurement departments to ensure timely processing of payments.
Installation and Commissioning
Coordinate the installation and commissioning of the equipment according to the agreed-upon schedule. Monitor progress to ensure that installation is completed correctly, and that the equipment is functioning as expected.
Training and Support
Schedule and coordinate training sessions for instructors and end-users on how to operate the equipment effectively. Ensure that training materials and resources are provided and that technical support services are available as needed.
User Feedback and Evaluation
Gather feedback from instructors and students, regarding their experience with the equipment. Evaluate user satisfaction, performance, and any areas for improvement to inform future purchasing decisions.
Chapter 8: Management & Maintenance of your Training Environment
Once you have researched, sourced, procured, and purchased the necessary instructional technologies your learning environment is set up, but the work doesn&#;t end here.
Managing and maintaining a technical training center is no rocket science, but it helps if you: (1) stay educated, (2) are organized, and (3) invest in the relationship with Vendors.
Safety requirements
Some training equipment has dangerous components, such as the use of gases (chemical engineering), high voltage (power engineering / e-mobility), high pressure (hydraulics / pneumatics) etc.
Make sure that you are aware of which types of safety requirements are necessary for your training center, train your staff, make sure that any dangerous procedures are clearly documented and adhered to, and go through the necessary continuous infrastructure checkups.
Insurance
The most common workplace accidents are associated with improper and untrained usage of machines and equipment. Training students correctly will reduce accidents and fatalities in future workplaces, but it also poses a risk that something might go wrong during training.
To limit risk should something go wrong, make sure that your insurance does not lapse so that you always have coverage for your specific training activities.
Product warranty
Most Vendors of training systems, machines and didactic equipment will guarantee their product against manufacturing faults, meaning they will provide spare parts, repair, or replace faulty products.
The product warranty typically differs anywhere from 12 to 60 months (1-5 years) depending on Vendor, country, usage environment (high humidity, extreme heat) etc.
Make sure you know your product guarantees and do a proper review of the training systems well in time before the product guarantee lapses.
Software updates
If your training system requires timely updates, make sure you are aware of this and that any notifications from the producer reach you accordingly. Sometimes software updates can be conditional for keeping the product guarantee active.
Technical Support
If you run into technical problems, the majority of producers will be able to provide you with remote technical support, either through video conferencing systems or through proprietary communications and support-ticket management systems.
Check which type of technical support you can be provided such as a formal ticketing system, via , via etc. Also check if the turn-around-time for support tickets meets your requirements, or if you need to put in place a special service level agreement.
Maintenance
The Vendor might have general maintenance recommendations for the equipment, make sure that you know what they are and that you follow them accordingly, this often prolongs the lifetime of your apparatus.
Also, some manufacturers of didactic products offer maintenance programs in which they will travel to your destination and service your equipment. Most often this is an &#;add-on-service&#; which can be purchased alongside the initial equipment, and sometimes afterwards.
Vendor relationships
As customers we sometime come across a company which &#;just gets it&#; regarding how to treat and take care of their customers. The truth is that the same applies to how Vendors perceive their Customers.
How can you as a customer receive quick, professional, and loving care from your producer? There is only one way to get there, invest time into building a good relationship, some tips, and tricks below:
When you need technical support first try to solve the problem yourself, read the manual, read the FAQ, do the trouble shooting, chances are that the solution is documented. If you still need support, explain what you have done, it helps to zero in on the problem, Vendors love that.
If you have suggestions for improvement, either administrational, technical, or pedagogical, share it with the vendor, it will help them improve and they will love you for it.
Many Vendors want to provide case studies and success stories in their marketing campaigns. If you can provide them with photos, videos, student testimonials, key statistics, and numbers which they can use for case studies, then consider yourself already among the top customers.
Asset management software
If your training center has different types of training equipment from diverse suppliers, managing this infrastructure is cumbersome but rewarding. An asset management software is a tool which can help you bring order and processes to keeping track of important commercial documentation, reminders, technical support requests, communications etc.
Organizational knowledge
Maintaining knowledge within your training center and making it available for everyone can prevent troubles when key-personnel leave.
Putting in place information sharing procedures and systems goes a long way if combined with clearly defined responsibilities tied to yearly employee follow-ups. We also highly recommend that various personnel are present when producers do initial training.
Budgeting
Setting up didactic technology and learning infrastructure in a training center does not only require the purchase of didactic equipment, but also of ongoing management and maintenance.
When managing the budget for a training center it is important to take into consideration the full cost of ownership and to set aside sufficient resources for continuous management.
Chapter 9: Conclusion
As you can see from this article, building an effective learning environment for technical subjects and skills requires many considerations. At Edquip, we understand the importance of laying a solid foundation for your technical learning environment.
As you embark on the journey of sourcing didactic training equipment, our online marketplace streamlines the search process, provides solutions for easy comparison of different equipment, as well as quotations and proposals. Further we provide a dashboard to manage communications with different Vendors, and a step-by-step purchase process which is tied into safe transactions through escrow solutions.
Whether you're establishing a vocational workshop, engineering lab, or training center, our comprehensive approach ensures that you're equipped with the right tools to achieve your educational objectives.
We look forward to collaborating with you, feel free to reach out via info(at)edquip.co or feel free to download the free eBook.
Keys To Buying The Right Sports Training Equipment
Whether you&#;re remodeling your old office into an at-home gym or you're a coach outfitting your athletic performance facility for the right sports training equipment, doing the research beforehand &#; and reading these tips &#; can help you pick out the perfect exercise equipment for you and to make sure they align with your goals.
Before we dive headfirst into the features you should look for in the proper training equipment, let&#;s run through these quick need-to-know pieces of advice:
1. First and foremost, know that no matter how expensive or advanced your training equipment is, no matter how many bells and whistles &#; you still have to put in the effort on a consistent basis to reap the rewards.
2. Before you hop onto any machine, do your research or be guided on how to use it properly to avoid injury.
3. No matter your budget &#; there&#;s going to be equipment for you. To help you get the most bang for your buck, check customer reviews, ratings, and make your own comparisons. (The "Big Time Strength Podcast" hosted by Coach Gage Rosier is a great resource for strength and conditioning professionals to help maximize limited resources to provide a "big time" strength and conditioning experience. PS: Please check out Coach Rosier's EBook Crush Cancer)
4. Don&#;t be sold on empty promises. As I just mentioned, your equipment doesn&#;t have to be state-of-the-art, top-of-the-line products &#; so don&#;t buy the most expensive equipment out there. On that note &#; also don&#;t get swayed by crafty product descriptions and advertisements. If you see the words &#;quick, effortless, easy, fix&#;, dig a little deeper into the actual science of the matter.
Before You Buy
Don&#;t let a good deal and fancy advertising convince you to pull the trigger on a buy that easily. Before you dive into a new training method or piece, here are some last-minute pointers:
&#; Don&#;t wait until you buy &#; start working out now...today. Get into the healthy habit of training and exercising so when your equipment is finally set up, you won&#;t fully be relying on it to fulfill your workout habits.
&#; Test it out &#; whether you find a similar piece of equipment at the gym or at your friend&#;s house, make sure you know how it works or (especially if you have mobility issues) you&#;re able to use it, pain-free.
Picking Out the Perfect Equipment
Whether you&#;re making a decision between a VertiMax V8 Platform or the VertiMax Raptor&#; or any other product, for that matter &#; it can be a pretty tough purchasing decision.
But don&#;t let the daunting decision of choosing a product discourage you from getting fit.
Follow these tips to help you pick out the perfect equipment &#; for you:
Keep Your Goal in Mind
Although it might be difficult to establish a fitness or health goal &#; knowing what you want to get out of your equipment before you get it can be extremely helpful.
If you want to lose weight, a piece of cardio equipment &#; like a treadmill, stair climber or at-home stationary bike can all be pretty beneficial. If your goal is to gain muscle, you&#;ll want something like the free weights, Bowflex or an at-home stationary piece of equipment that helps focus on strength training.
If you want to work on agility and sport-related movement, VertiMax has everything you need to help boost your athletic performance.
Know What You Like
Never worked out before? Head to your local gym (preferably under the eye of a professional trainer) and help test out a few classes, modes of fitness, and workout equipment. Sometimes, the facility will give you a free day or week pass to get a feel.
If you already know your workout preference &#; or any physical limitations you might have&#; take those into consideration before buying. Although the toy might be new and shiny at first, getting something in the field you like will help you stay interested long after the honeymoon phase of the workout relationship is over.
Make Sure You Have The Space
Knowing what you like and having that ideal training equipment is &#; unfortunately &#; not the most important thing to consider. You also have to be able to truly envision where you want the gym equipment and if it&#;s able to find a place in your home.
To do this properly, take a look at the measurements of the equipment and compare it to the ideal space you want your new equipment. Of course, you might have to reconsider the plan if you find that it won&#;t fit &#; but it&#;s great to know this before you invest. If you&#;re buying online, it doesn&#;t hurt to double-check on the measurements with the manufacturer. (Here's some great insight from VertiMax creator, Mike Wehrell on his strategy of setting up his home gym for him and his family)
If you already have a space for an indoor, at-home gym in mind, you definitely want to think about how to best effectively use the space.
If you&#;re planning on owning your own gym, you should get a professional to help you with your layout. From locker rooms to offices, from lobbies or communal areas to bathrooms, there are so many &#;other&#; or &#;alternative&#; uses for your space that go beyond just the cardio and strength equipment &#; up to 40 percent, actually!
So, that means if you&#;re making a public gym (or a really large private one), you&#;ll most likely be using 60 percent of that space for training equipment. Keeping this in mind when stocking up on various machines, etc, can help you plan out your space best.
If you have your own gym, of course, this leaves you up to more freedom and the use of more space. However, you&#;ll definitely want to look at a few online tools or people to help assist you with planning to best utilize the spatial dimensions you have. If that&#;s lined up with the sizes of your gym equipment and machines, then that&#;s optimal!
Stay Within Your Budget
Dishing out your savings for training equipment is not truly being fiscally responsible. No matter how cheap you have to go, there are ideal equipment pieces within your price range. Have a number in mind before you go shopping to help you avoid the temptation of irresponsibly raising your budget. If you&#;re going to be spending more than you think, try to compare that to a gym membership to help see if it&#;s even worth it.
Don't forget to ask about 0% financing as well. At VertiMax, we have done this for many years and have given people the opportunity to invest in their goals now versus holding off for the future.
Check Out The Warranty
The guarantee and warranty of a product are also very important pieces of information you need to know before you buy. If you&#;re going to be buying it secondhand, ask the seller about the passing of the guarantee and if it&#;s still valid.
Try Not to See It As a Startup
Especially if you&#;re a beginner to the whole training world &#; it might be a bit difficult to not see this first purchase as a stepping stone piece of equipment that you plan on upgrading later on. This will lead you to be sloppy with your purchase and the process behind it.
If you take on buying the right sports training equipment as a commitment, you&#;re more likely to make an adequate decision.
Unfortunately, a lot of people actually see their first gym equipment or set of equipment as a beginner, cheap option that will be later upgraded. However, approaching it with that sort of thinking will lead you to have less of a hook on it and make a failing decision (since you don&#;t put so much pressure on it).
Buying cheap equipment will not only most likely lead you to purchasing a low-quality product leading you to having a poor experience, it might even lead you to actually believe you hate working out (which is crazy, since that is simply based on your experience with the product). On a side note, definitely try out more than one thing before giving up &#;working out&#; for life.
Cheap equipment designed with low-quality parts can always lead to aches and pains from poorly-made suspension systems. This can decrease your experience and can lead you to believe that you truly don&#;t like working out (or even cause you pain)! The bottom line...Do things once and do them right!
Be Realistic
If you purchase equipment thinking that you&#;re going to use it a couple of times and automatically look like a fitness model, that&#;s most likely not the case.
Knowing some realistic expectations for your fitness equipment experience ahead of time can help make the entire experience much more enjoyable.
As I mentioned before, if you know what you like &#; for example, working out or moving simply while watching TV &#; that can help you be more realistic about your machine choice (for example, a treadmill instead of an outdoor bike).
You should also know something that suits your body, in accordance with not only your preference but possibly physical limitations or injuries!
There&#;s something made out there for everyone &#; so don&#;t feel discouraged if you can&#;t choose a treadmill because you have easy-to-aggravate joints! Ask around and do your research on what machines work best for your body.
That goes along with not only being realistic, but also being honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do! Aim high, of course &#; but setting unrealistic expectations, can decrease your experience and demotivate you from trying again.
Buy OR Lease
You also have the options between buying your next piece of training equipment&#;committing to it wholeheartedly and investing in the equipment&#;or leasing it, which means that you can cut your losses if you don&#;t want or need it anymore, as well as not being as much as a financial burden.
The decision between buying or leasing cannot be boiled down to just one thing. You have to take into consideration not only your budget but also what you want in the long run.
Can&#;t afford any financial obligations? Well, leasing might be best since you can&#;t commit.
If you&#;re not good at paying things on time and just want to get it over with? Buying might be best for you.
Don&#;t want to have to worry about maintenance or repairs? Leasing from a reputable company can be your best bet.
Want all the luxury of buying but don&#;t have the capital? Well, secondhand options are also a great choice &#; just make sure you can try it out first and do a bit of research on the seller.
Brand
Although you might not think it really makes a difference, going for a brand name training equipment that has the reputation to back up their claims (like VertiMax) might be in your best interest.
You might think that brand names are only bought by extremely wealthy people. However, brands usually cater to a range of options and abilities &#; which means they can cater to you as a customer. You don&#;t have to choose the top of the line from the brand&#;s collection but buying the outdated equipment that still has the brand name can actually be a better investment than buying brand new, current-year pieces from a less reputable company.
Especially if you&#;re planning on selling the equipment later on down the road, you&#;re more likely to find interest if there&#;s a brand name attached to it. You&#;ll also be investing in a possible guarantee, warranty, and quality experience.
Accessories
Not only do you have to worry about if you have enough space to fit your brand new training equipment, you also want to make sure that you check out any extra accessories you may need.
Especially if you&#;re buying and not leasing, you&#;ll be responsible for spare parts or accessories that come along with the equipment that you may need for certain exercises.
It&#;s A Process...
Whether you&#;re thinking about buying the perfect training equipment for your fitness goals (and home area) or if you&#;re starting with the first step on your fitness journey, know that this sort of thing doesn&#;t happen overnight.
When you make an investment in sports equipment, you&#;re making an investment in your health. Take your time and make the right choice.
When you&#;re starting off on a journey to better health, be kind to you and your body. Don&#;t think powerful and extreme change will happen overnight.
What do you first think about when looking to add equipment to your gym? Would love to get your thoughts!
Trust the process and happy hunting!
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Jay Hyber is sports junkie, health seeker, athlete, and mentor to VertiMax. He helps coaches and business owners achieve their goals. Whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and vertical; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business...Please feel free to contact regarding interview opportunities on fitness, coaching and athletic subjects important to you.
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For more information, please visit Vocational Education Equipment.