What Is Brown Doing For You, Mr. Super-package deliverytruckdriver man?

The other day I came across an interesting article in the wall street journal regarding the unique approach the United Parcel Service, or UPS, takes to training their driving recruits. In such a market where timing and dependability is what sets Brown apart from their competitors like FedEx and DHL, only to name a few, UPS is using new technology and out of the box training techniques to prepare their drivers. The article highlights the new "integrad" training facility located in Atlanta where recruits go through a six week training course that integrates hand on learning with video games and second life driving courses that simulate potential driving conditions. This is crucial in today's job market where UPS employs over 99,000 people and will probably look to hire 25,000 new drivers in the coming years. These new recruits will participate in virtual reality games that train them to look for kids playing ball, parking cones, and other treacherous conditions that happen on the job. The coolest training device the article mentions is the "slip and fall" machine that trains drivers how to walk in icy or slippery conditions as efficiently as possible without falling. They actually wear harnesses but are walking on icy surfaces with shoes with little to no tread. In a job where timing is everything, newer and better training programs offer a way for employees to become as best prepared for the real situation as possible.

UPS isn't the only company to include innovative training techniques. Companies like Cisco Systems, FedEx, and the Sodexo food groups are also exploring the ways second life and other virtual training programs can be incorporated to ensure better drivers are on the road. Check out the link below if you have a chance, see what ya think....

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109258/usps-thinks-out-of-the-box?mod=career-leadership