How a Vocational Center Changed its Way to Train Adults: A Case Study on Computer-Based Learning and Vocational Training

Abstract

EFFA (Ecole de Formation Funéraire Alyscamps), through a seven years development plan, introduced an offer including blended learning, 100% e-learning solutions, and virtual classroom. Our happy students are adults from 18 to 65 years old who have now the option to choose how they want to attend their training based on their availability and learning possibilities. Three project phases allowed us to integrate new pedagogical technique and to develop a framework for teachers to introduce new ways to teach, to handle a virtual classroom, and to redefine the own teacher's role and self-image. This case study explains how EFFA completed first an analysis to understand if our way of teaching, our goals, and our offer were still aligned with society and the labor market; and then we worked on deciding and implementing what was required to provide our clients with the best skills possible to gain employment and remain in the labor market. This case study also describes the concerns we have encountered (pedagogy, efficiency of online learning, client-tracking, and comparison with traditional learning) and how we dealt with them to transform our training center. These changes also helped to maintain EFFA's position as an innovative vocational center. The decisions were taken to challenge the social and economic developments by shifting away from traditional teaching (classroom, teacher, and students) to electronic learning (e-learning and virtual classrooms). This transformation could not be done without identifying, first, the concerns of our clients and by maintaining the confidence they have on EFFA. Our clients trust us to follow the learning path we propose to them so they can develop new professional skills, which are opening doors for new job opportunities. We also consider key, for the adoption of the new learning methods, to be always monitoring and ready to address any need for clarification about any topic concerning electronic learning. Our purpose, with this case study, is to provide useful and proven strategies relevant to any other training center wanting to provide to their students a new learning offer adapted to a digital era. Dedicated to funeral services, EFFA is a part of the main Funeral Services Association in France, Confederation des Professionels du Funéraire et de la Marbrerie. Located in Paris, EFFA is engaged in a "lifelong learning" approach, meaning continuous adaptation is our purpose. Our clients come from anywhere in France, which has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Today, our country has a multicultural society practicing different religions and with people from different cultural backgrounds. Also, even though it is a small percentage, part of the French population lives in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, South America, and North America French overseas territories.