Survival Skills for the New Trainer

COURSE SUMMARY

If you are thinking about becoming a trainer, or have started doing some training already and want to know more about what will help you to become an excellent trainer, this workshop will help. This course is designed as an exploration of the essential skills that trainers need to develop, and to get you started in the learning process in an interactive and fun environment.

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

• Understand the essential background for trainers to have
• Explore how being genuine enhances training
• Identify the elements of good questions
• Understand how to apply listening skills
• Develop rapport building strategies
• Recognize key skills in a trainer’s toolbox and identify skill areas for development

WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED

• What makes a good trainer?
• Personal best, professional best
• Being genuine
• Assertiveness skills
• Asking the right questions
• Listening skills
• Connecting with people
• Defusing difficult participants
• Essentials for success
• Do’s and don’ts for new trainers

COURSE OVERVIEW

What Makes a Good Trainer?

To start the day, we will discuss some key background material, including principles of adult learning and what the word “trainer” means.

Personal Best, Professional Best

Next, participants will learn how to create a professional image.

Being Genuine

During this session, participants will explore what being genuine means.

Assertiveness Skills

Participants will explore the differences between passive, aggressive, manipulative, and assertive behavior. They will also consider why assertive behavior is important for a trainer.

Asking the Right Questions

This session will focus on open questions, closed questions, and probing. Participants will also have an opportunity to practice these skills in an exercise.

Listening

Participants will identify their listening strengths and weaknesses through a quick quiz. We will also discuss some ways that participants can improve their listening skills.

Connecting With People

During this session, we will look at ways to build rapport and how to use facilitative training. Participants will then evaluate themselves to see what skills they need to build in these areas.

Defusing Difficult Participants

Next, we will look at some potential problem situations and ways to defuse them before they start.

Essentials for Success

We will ask participants to complete a checklist of what attributes they feel makes a good trainer. This will also help participants identify areas for further training.

Do’s and Don’ts for New Trainers

To wrap up the learning points, participants will discuss a checklist of do’s and don’ts.

Workshop Wrap-Up

At the end of the day, students will have an opportunity to ask questions, complete an action plan, and talk with the trainer.