Train the Trainer
While working in this multinational, I was once an internal trainer and recognized the knowledge gaps of this role and this is when I first created my first instructional design project, which I also delivered as a certified Trainer.
I set myself the following intention:
Clarify the role and responsibilities
Understand what the needs of the internal trainers are
Make it engaging and interactive
Instructional Designer and Training Facilitator
Year:
2017
Role:
Creation of an in-person training course aimed at internal trainers of the multinational company
Brief:
Tools:
Excel, PowerPoint
Instructional Design, Presentation Skills, Training Delivery
Skills:
Why?
Being an internal trainer at one point, I knew the role inside out and the challenges emerged from the knowledge gaps. Therefore, I took the initiative of creating a comprehensive Train the Trainer course.
I wanted to create a training product based on instructional design principles end to end and make it as engaging as possible, being that it was an in-person format.
By developing this course, I aimed to establish a clear framework that empowers trainers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver high-quality training. The program is designed to ensure consistency, enhance learner engagement, and ultimately improve overall training outcomes within the company.
How?
I began the scoping of the project by first setting out a timeline for this, with the start date of my needs assessment until the training was ready to be delivered. Because I believe that the organizational needs are better when they are aligned with the employees’ needs, I conducted a needs assessment with all the internal trainers across the regions of Europe with questions that revealed their needs and confirmed their current knowledge of various concepts pertaining to the role.
I already was familiar with the target audience, and which were the available resources, as well as what the expectations of the company were regarding this role.
After I received the results of the needs assessment, I began my analysis of this document that helped clear my initial thinking regarding the curriculum and the actual needs of the employees along with their challenges.
The purpose was to have a 6-hour day training where to fit all the information, due to the work schedule of the participants.
What?
Having the results of my needs assessment, I continue to build the learning objectives and outcomes, defining the competencies desired and building the curriculum based on the description of the role.
The learning objectives of this course were that the trainers should understand their role and responsibilities; they know how assertively communicate in a difficult or conflictual situation; they understand group dynamics.
For this training course I have followed the ADDIE framework for designing my project phases and the KOLB model to design the content of the course.
My role in this project was the instructional designer, content creator and training facilitator which meant that I had displayed many hats, and it was easy for me to do this because I was familiar with the company and the role.
Therefore, in the design part I have split the competencies into several parts by writing the theoretical/informational part while adding quizzes, personality tests, role plays, open discussions, reflection and debriefing. In my instructional design process, I put a lot of emphasis on practice and reflection, to make the learning process complete and integrative. Being that it was an in-person training, I have also printed out handouts for the participants. Feedback and lessons learned.
After the training was delivered, the last letter of ADDIE – E which is Evaluation happened through a feedback form that the participants filled in. I was very pleased while creating and delivering the content and receiving positive feedback from the participants. It is always a rewarding feeling to fill a gap, identify a need and being able to meet that need. Which was beneficial for the confidence of the employees and for the wellbeing of the company.
