Citation
(2003), "Five lessons for trainers at inaugural conference", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 35 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2003.03735fab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Five lessons for trainers at inaugural conference
Five lessons for trainers at inaugural conference
There are five principles to which trainers must adhere if they are to be both worthwhile and successful in today's business climate, said Clive Shepherd, e-learning director at the Institute of IT Training (IITT).
He told delegates at the institute's inaugural national trainers' conference, that trainers must:
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speak the language of business, rather than their own, often obscure, jargon;
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be prepared to be flexible, to meet the growing need for tailoring learning materials to smaller audiences within shorter time frames;
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not "let technology happen" to them but, rather, develop their knowledge and experience of all learning-delivery methods;
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encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own learning; and
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take time for quiet reflection, to understand the threats that beset them (the speed of change); their opportunities (the use of networks to deliver learning); their weaknesses (slow response times to meeting organizations' and learners' needs), and strengths (their ability to ask questions).
"As trainers, we have to communicate effectively with business leaders using the language of business", he said. "This means couching – and justifying – training in such terms as better, more, faster and cheaper."
The 160 delegates considered topics including: encouraging creativity in the classroom; the value of a skills-management system; showing the business value of training projects; how to increase participation in e-learning; correlating learning preferences with e-learning materials; and developing e-trainer skills.