While COVID-19 has laid waste to its training courses and workshops, surface mining industry association, ASPASA, has ushered in a new electronic era that allows wider access from across the country.
Top among these is the association’s latest YouTube channel that is steadily growing a repertoire of videos that are both informative and have value as tools to train and educate members in their own time when convenient. The YouTube videos that have been uploaded thus far include one-on-one interviews with industry experts and other role-players, as well as providing full, unedited coverage of seminars and committee meetings that have taken place in recent months.
Viewers can have access to the channel by visiting YouTube/ASPASA or simply by using the search facility to find videos relating to the association. In a short space of time ASPASA has built up an index of about 20 videos that are proving to be a treasure chest for members who would usually not be able to attend all the committee meetings, technical briefs, environmental, health and safety workshops.
ASPASA director, Nico Pienaar, explains that the medium provides a lively and engaging platform for training purposes, while simultaneously providing a chance to view unscripted interviews with people who are at ease and filming themselves in their own environments. The relaxed conversational style of interviews and talks is therefore said to be more entertaining and more likely to be watched than formal-style interviews done at studios or staged onsite.
“Even despite COVID-19 the wheels of business keep turning and it is incumbent on us that we continue driving strategies and keep informing and training our people to meet our industry objectives. It is a sign of our industry’s adaptability that within the space of just a few months we have built up a valuable resource for all to use.
“Now, we plan to keep expanding our video libraries and disseminating more information and workshops via YouTube. Although it is still new and growing we want to invite industry role-players from all areas of the industry to view the videos, participate and subscribe to the channel. We also encourage suggestions and feedback from our audience,” says Nico.
Some of the latest topics covered include discussions on new requirements for environmental audits, global trends, and laboratory testing, as well as committee meetings of the technical and blasting committees.