New MyGlassClass Offers Fabricator Training, Enhanced User Experience

The National Glass Association has relaunched its popular MyGlassClass.com online learning platform as part of the association’s workforce development initiatives. The glass and glazing industry points to the skilled labor shortage as one of its greatest challenges, increasing the need for accessible, high-quality education and training. MyGlassClass.com currently offers more than 100 courses designed to complement—and shorten—industry companies’ hands-on training.

What is MyGlassClass? 

MyGlassClass.com offers online training for new hires that can be accessed on a laptop, smart phone or tablet. The self-paced, on-demand courses allow new glaziers, fabrication personnel and apprentices to complete safety, product, installation and glass fabrication training.

“Online education allows for the flexibility of training employees at your, and their, convenience, in any location,” says Jenni Chase, NGA vice president of workforce development. “While it certainly doesn’t replace hands-on training, it can enhance it. New hires can go into the field or the onto the factory floor armed with product knowledge and best practices that will make their hands-on training faster and more effective.” 

Designed to meet the needs of the entire industry, MyGlassClass.com offers three training paths: 

• Glazier training: Nearly 100 courses provide product and installation training for commercial and full-service glass company personnel, with courses available in English and Spanish.
• Glazier apprenticeship curriculum: The NGA Glazier Apprentice Curriculum is designed for organizations that want to establish a glazier apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. Students who complete the curriculum earn a jointly endorsed NGA/NCCER credential indicating a journeyman-level minimum competency.
• MyGlassFAB: The newest addition to the NGA suite of training, MyGlassFAB offers core training for production personnel at glass fabrication facilities on safety, products and basic skills.  

MyGlassFAB

Targeting entry-level production personnel who are new to the industry, MyGlassFAB training covers industry basics, while allowing for specific company procedures to be taught through on-the-job training. It consists of eLearning courses, quizzes and skills tests covering initial topics like:

• Glass quality & defect inspection 
• Safe glass handling
• Safety essentials, including PPE, determining glass weight and moving glass
• How to take measurements using rulers and tape measures
• Measurement math.

Free to NGA members

At its August 2024 meeting, the NGA Board of Directors voted to offer MyGlassClass courses free to NGA members. Free courses will include those in the Glazier Training and MyGlassFAB paths. 

Updates to content and functionality 

In addition, the relaunched MyGlassClass addresses two key areas: content updates and site functionality. 

“We want to make sure that MyGlassClass remains current and user-friendly,” Chase says. “The content must be up to date in terms of topic, functionality, look and feel.”

Courses have been updated to address changes in the market, such as new product types, new installation techniques, new information from NGA technical manuals and more. “The NGA recently published the Frameless Shower Enclosure Design & Installation Manual. It’s a great new resource for all of our full-service glass businesses, and we have created four new courses based on that manual,” says Chase. 

The relaunched platform also features numerous changes to improve user experience and overall site functionality. “We got feedback from users about what they like and don’t like about online training, and we went back to all the courses to update their functionality and design,” says Chase. “We want to make it as easy to understand and use as possible. We updated navigation and made it easier to take classes on your phone.” 

The redesigned courses address the needs of all learners. “Not everyone learns the same way,” says Chase. “We’re putting less text on the screen and ensuring everything has a voice-over. Users can see things visually demonstrated with text they can read and audio they can hear.” 

The relaunch also includes publication of additional courses in Spanish, based on industry demand.