« Front Page More News »    Posted October 16, 2003 | 12:20 p.m. ET Boosting flats productivity Online training for EAS and craft employees USPS is once again turning toward technology to boost flats productivity. This time the high-tech investment isn't in automation equipment, but in online training for managers and craft employees who use it. "E-learning is a breakthrough event for our Operations employees and will drive flats productivity even higher," said Operations Senior V.P. John Rapp. Flats productivity is highest at sites that have passed rigorous automated flat sorting machine (AFSM) 100 certification. A similar process is beginning for sites with the upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000. "Online training will help all of our sites become certified," said Rapp. Two interactive courses are being offered at nearly 300 processing sites: Automated Flats Standardization for Craft (AFS-C) is designed to teach standardized methods, such as how to properly load a feeder belt, clear jams and pull down the machine. This course provides 1.5 hours of VOE credit. Automated Flats Standardization for Managers (AFS-M) is for managers and supervisors who will work with employees to implement standardized methods and prepare for site certification. Thie course provides 2 hours of VOE credit. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to take the craft course first. Registration is online. Employees can access the training courses from any USPS Internet-equipped computer, including work stations in the Postal Employee Development Centers. Training is approved via eAccess and training hours are tracked in the National Training Database. The online courses — a combined effort among Operations, Information Technology and Employee Development — are the first developed for employees in processing plants. "The Postal Service has invested significant funds in the AFSM 100 and the UFSM 1000. This equipment, if used properly can produce significant productivity increases over manual flat operations," said Rapp. "Proper training will ensure that all supervisors know how to achieve our productivity expectations. We're matching best practices with best equipment so we can achieve the productivity targets," he added.	If you’re looking for USPS News Link, it’s available only on the Postal Service intranet at blue.usps.gov/news/link. Link is a publication for USPS employees. If you’re an employee and would like to subscribe to the e-mail version of Link, send an e-mail with your name and work location to uspslink@usps.gov.