Voith PaperSchool: Customized training courses for the paper industry


The new website of the Voith PaperSchool is now online. The school offers comprehensive training courses covering all aspects of the paper manufacturing process. In addition to a wide range of existing training courses, participants can also access personalized training content – using the latest methods like computer-assisted training or virtual reality and with hands-on training on the actual machines and equipment. This allows them to achieve a sustained improvement in their skills and know-how.

Whether employees from machine operation, maintenance or management, paper producers are constantly faced with the challenge of instructing and training new personnel and further developing existing employees. This is necessary to ensure safe and efficient plant operation across the entire paper manufacturing process. However, the resources and expertise needed to provide this kind of training are often lacking. As a full-line supplier with a broad range of services, Voith offers targeted training programs underpinned by the latest best practice experience through its well-established PaperSchool under the Servolution concept. In doing so, Voith can draw on its long-standing experience and expertise in this area; the long-established company conducted its first training for customers as far back as 1910.

Customer-specific and standardized training modules
The training courses are available at the Voith Training Centers around the world, on site at customer’s paper mill, as well as online. Participants can develop specialized knowledge under the guidance of Voith experts. The training is tailored to all needs and imparts basic, intermediate and advanced knowledge. The exact training plan can be put together according to specific personal requirements – a common definition and prioritization of training content and methods take place.

The training courses cover various areas of paper production and stock preparation, maintenance such as example auxiliary systems, maintenance strategies and methodologies like communication, analysis and structured problem-solving.

Effective training methods
Different methods are used to impart knowledge and skills: classroom, hands-on, e-learning and virtual reality training. In classroom training, an expert provides the trainees with general knowledge about paper production and answers questions. In the case of hands-on training, trainees learn certain tasks in a controlled classroom setting under instruction. The training can be extended to include exposure to real-life conditions on the machines. The e-learning method, on the other hand, allows participants to learn according to their own timetable, regardless of location – and therefore is available 24/7. Learning outcomes is ensured by means of continuous testing and repetitions, and a support team is available 24/7 to answer any questions the trainee may have.

Innovative virtual reality training
One new kind of method is virtual reality training, an interactive training in a computer-generated environment. For training purposes, this cutting-edge technology makes it possible to simulate a virtual exploration of an entire paper machine or the behavior in a hazardous situation without actually endangering the people taking part. In addition, virtual reality training can be used to allow trainees to learn and practice various assembly operations, so they can subsequently perform proper maintenance on the actual machine.