Training of Trainers

Training of Trainers

Training designed for people who will train others on the same subject. For a training of trainers programme to be effective it is crucial to train people who are not only interested in the topic, but also in learning how to train others on the same subject. An aspect to care about is the importance of fostering participants’ motivation, in order to avoid the loss of future trainers’ drive through the train the trainer chain. At the end of a "Train the Trainer" course, participants should have learned:

The basic principles of learning

The importance of good communication in a training course
The characteristics of a good trainer
The steps to follow to plan a training course
Different training techniques (at least five). ^[1]

Sample instructions to be given to future trainers

Try to	Do not
Speak with a good inflection	Speak with a monotone voice
Introduce the topic from different perspectives	Say things in the same way, repeatedly
Keep a visual contact with participants	Look at your notes all the time
Understand participants’ point of view	Be critical, defensive or intolerant
Be enthusiastic about the topic	Be unemotional
Appear professional (Look, body language…)	Appear unprofessional
Make participants laugh	Be too serious

Toolkit: Training the Trainers

The role of trainers in peer education

In this context, trainers play several roles at the same time:

Expert: the trainer transmits information, skills and knowledge, answers questions and clarifies doubts.
Socializing agent: the trainer should create an environment that encourages interaction among the group and fosters communication.
Facilitator: the trainer leads the learning experience in an engaging way, so that learners participate fully and make the most out of it.

Techniques

Training of trainers uses a wide range of interactive techniques:

Brainstorming
Group discussion
Case studies
Game show quizzes
Role plays and other theater-based techniques.

Practical tips

Group discussions play a central role in this type of training and should be encouraged by the facilitator. Various facilitation skills are needed to lead group discussions effectively.
Favor a “learning by doing” approach: doing is the best way to remember something.
Use a variety of communication methods to reach everyone in your audience
Show visual materials
Use role playing and other theater techniques: they help delivering the message in a way that reaches learners at the emotional level and increases motivation; stress the importance of acquiring basic acting skills for trainers. ^[2]

Job Aid

Training the Trainers.pdf‎

Web Resources

Find below additional information and resources.

Link	Content
www-unescap.org	Train the Trainers Fundamental, a United Nations reference manual.

References

↑ www.e-gineer.com (5 May 2010), www.archimuse.com (5 May 2010), www.inquiry.net (5 May 2010)
↑ www.ilo.org (1 February 2012), cfsc.trunky.net (1 February 2012)

[1] www.e-gineer.com (5 May 2010), www.archimuse.com (5 May 2010), www.inquiry.net (5 May 2010)

[2] www.ilo.org (1 February 2012), cfsc.trunky.net (1 February 2012)

[1]

[2]

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