Engineering Growth, A Shift to Adult Education

   

Andy Leong
Training and Learning Expert
Manufacturing, Science & Technologies (MSAT), GSK

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Andy Leong stayed on his chosen track for 15 years before making the move to adult education. Today, Mr Leong is an in-house Training and Learning Expert at pharmaceutical Giant GSK.

From engineering to adult education, that is quite a radical shift. How did that happen?

I was a compliance engineer in a leading transport company when my boss offered me the opportunity to switch to training and development. I could have chosen to continue with my core discipline. However, it dawned on me that in the compliance role, I was routinely going through a check list and reviewing whether my colleagues’ work was in line with regulations. It was very much instruction-based and did little to help them grow as a person. I felt a need to do more.

After some research and speaking to colleagues in the learning & development role, I realised that working with people was something that I was more interested in. I took the leap then to take up the role of Training Manager for the next four years.

How did you equip yourself with the competencies to become an Adult Educator?

My peers in Human Resource suggested that I enrol in the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA, now Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance) certification course at IAL. I learnt the fundamentals of content delivery, classroom facilitation, and workplace learning, which was extremely helpful in my new role.

After completing ACTA, I began thinking about the science behind creating content for adult learning. That led me to take up the WSQ Diploma in Design and Development of Learning for Performance (DDDLP). The course offered me the skills and knowledge to conduct proper needs analysis and design effective lesson plans.

Previously, I relied a lot on my colleagues to brainstorm solutions when faced with training challenges. The courses allowed me to become far more confident and independent in my work.

From engineering and transport to the pharmaceutical sector, the shift in training subject is significant. How did you navigate the change?

The industries may be different, but the science of teaching adult learners is the same. What I have learnt in IAL can be applied across industries. Of course, there is an initial learning curve as you need to learn about the operations and processes of the new industry and understand its training needs.

Could you share with us what your work at GSK is like?

Right now, as a training and learning expert in GSK Tuas Vaccine, I am also in charge of the workplace learning culture programme.

My team aims to enhance the learning culture at the company. Attending classes in person can be disruptive to operations as employees are taken out of the workplace. To overcome this challenge, we want to drive learning transformation so that training can happen anywhere at the workplace.

For example, we encourage departments to share success stories which showcase their employee-led innovative solutions to workplace challenges. We also hold a series of “Lunch and Learn” events to make learning interesting, so that staff can learn about topics outside their work scope. By doing this, I hope to a cultivate lifelong learning mindset for the staff.

What would you say to those who are thinking of joining the training and adult education sector?

You would know that you are on the right track if you enjoy mentoring others and find satisfaction in curating and delivering content that help others grow. Take the ACLP and DDDLP to understand the science behind adult education. Consider taking a mster programme to strengthen your practice further.