Founding Members by the Numbers
100+
Years of Experience
~23
Average Tenure
4+
Manufacturing Sectors
Why I started Training 4.0
About 5 years ago, I began a journey to help standardize work for operators on the shop floor across multiple sites. At first, I thought the problem was simple - we just needed a standard SOP template (yes - I know - I was so naive).
As you could have guessed, I quickly learned that an SOP template had been standardized before - multiple times - but it never seemed to last long.
Why?
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Tools: Our authoring tool (MS Word) wasn't designed for SOPs. It made formatting pictures nearly impossible. It didn't support any kind of review/approval process. There was no central place to house SOPs that applied to multiple plants, so each site had developed their own.
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Processes: Most of the time, the people writing the SOPs weren't the people doing the work or the people training, so no one was really depending on the SOPs for day-to-day operations. There were no quality standards or enforced approval processes for SOPs.
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People: Most of the people writing SOPs or training operators weren't trained in technical writing, adult learning, etc. In fact, their managers didn't have a background in training either.
The more I dug, the more I realized that if we were going to standardize work for operators across the plants, we'd have to provide a holistic solution that addressed a complete system of needs. So I began to look for one.
I read books. I listened to audio books. I took classes. And eventually, I got certified in Training within Industry "Job Instruction". In my 40-hr cert class, I met other people on the same journey.
There’s a proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
So I scheduled a regular call for us to continue to meet and practice our skills, swap stories about implementation progress, etc.
Over the years, our group has grown. Through our conversations, I’ve realized that our challenges aren't unique. We're in the middle of an industrial revolution—Industry 4.0, and manufacturing companies worldwide are struggling to adapt how they develop and sustain standard work on the plant floor.
Right now, manufacturing training professionals around the world need a community—a place to grow, stay inspired, and navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0 together. That’s why we’ve decided to make this community official. Today, I’m so excited to share it with you: Training 4.0.
--Kt Foster, Founder
Meet Our Team
Our Founding Members bring 100 + years of experience across industries and manufacturing sectors.
Together, we're elevating people as the true power behind Industry 4.0.
Dustin McQuown
Operations Training Coordinator
9+ years in manufacturing operations | Leadership experience in law enforcement, military, and security
Dustin specializes in training program development, compliance management, and cross-functional team collaboration. His disciplined, detail-oriented approach ensures effective documentation, process improvement, and team leadership.
Skills:
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Training Program Development
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Compliance Management
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Cross-Functional Team Leadership
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Process Improvement
Andrew Wildes
Training Manager
20+ years as a U.S. Air Force Jet Engine Mechanic | 10+ years technical instruction | 3 years manufacturing training
Andrew delivers comprehensive training programs from jet engine fundamentals to operational efficiency and safety. He's served as a certified Resilience Trainer and specializes in curriculum development for both technical and non-technical learners, with expertise in bridging gaps between technical staff and leadership.
Skills:
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Technical Instruction & Curriculum Development
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Team-Building & Leadership Development
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Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Conflict Resolution & Decision-Making
Richard Riggelsen
Training Specialist
40 years of experience working with people
Richard specializes in building training organizations from scratch using TWI (Training Within Industry) principles and managing training software systems like "Champ". He's TWI JR and JI certified and brings four decades of experience working with people across various roles, focusing on the foundational belief that results are made with and through people.
Skills:
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TWI (Training Within Industry) Methods
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Training Organization Development
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Training Software Management
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People Development
Nihal Tiwari
Training Department Leader
7+ years in the Training Industry
Nihal leads training operations in fast-paced corporate environments, designing and implementing scalable learning solutions that align with business needs. He specializes in wide-scale TWI (Training Within Industry) implementation and leverages technology platforms and data tracking to streamline delivery and measure impact.
Skills:
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Training Operations Leadership
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TWI Implementation & Adaptation
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Scalable Learning Solutions
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Technology Integration & Data Analytics
Ross Parsonson
Learning & Development Team Leader
22 years in the manufacturing industry | Operational, leadership and learning & development roles
Ross brings a unique perspective from his extensive time as a shift working operator, giving him deep insight into frontline needs and pain points. He specializes in developing practical solutions that actually work, with strong expertise in technical writing/training, TWI job instruction, and competency assessment.
Skills:
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Technical Writing & Training
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TWI Job Instruction
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Competency Assessment
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Frontline Operations Insight
Carianne Gray
Continuous Improvement Manager/Trainer
22 years of TWI JI experience in manufacturing
Carianne has witnessed the benefits of implementing the right training method to the right company at the right time. She currently leads training program implementation in a high-tenure, male-dominated environment, focusing on achieving successful buy-in.
Skills:
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TWI Job Instruction (JI)
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Training Program Implementation
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Process Documentation & Training
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Change Management & Buy-in Strategies