This blog relates to the unit TAEDEL411 Facilitate vocational training unit from the course TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Can we really teach just anybody to be a trainer? Can we teach just anybody to be a concert pianist? We can all agree that it takes a special talent and passion to be a concert pianist. The same applies to being a trainer.
What makes for a superlative trainer? Of course they must know their subject – that goes without saying. But knowing your subject and being able to impart the knowledge and skills to others are two different things.
A trainer needs instinct, talent and passion. They need confidence in their own ability while empathising with the learner’s lack of confidence. It’s important for us to remember where we came from and how hard it was for us in the beginning. We need to “leave ourselves outside the door” and focus on our learners. When you focus on your learner and what they are thinking, you don’t have time to be self-conscious.
We may start with a session plan, but we also need to think on our feet and know when to throw the session plan out the door and, instead, give the learners what they need when they need it.
We have a number of DEL units in the TAE and no doubt they will provide additional knowledge and skills but if the trainer is not born to train, all the teaching in the world will not make them into a trainer.
Written by Sandy Welton
Post your thoughts on what makes a great trainer.
I think a trainer needs to be adaptable to the needs of their students, while still knowing the core concepts that must be understood. Having practical experience in your field before training others in it is vital, as you know the areas that can be dealt with quickly and superficially as well as the areas that must be thoroughly understood by the students.
Oooh that is a tricky one. Trainers can be taught operationally how to train and the mechanics of training, however it is the talent, passion and innovation that trainers bring to training is what ignites the learning process.
The main criteria for a good trainer is communication. Communication that can be adapted to fit different types of people. One communication style will not fit the next person and so on. If a trainer understands why they are doing what they are doing, why they are training their course and topic then they will instinctively find a way to communicate that.
A great trainer is someone who is passionate about the subject. Passion, enthusiasm and dedication to improving knowledge in that area are clearly evident when you have a great trainer. As a student, it is easier to learn, and more enjoyable, when the trainer is all of the above.
Totally agree, a great trainer will make a huge difference in how the student remembers and is passionate about what they can do
I feel this is very true, definitely some people are more born to be trainers than others
For a trainer to be great, they must truly care about their learners/students. They need to be compassionate, reassuring confidence builders who believe in what they are teaching. This way our genuine love for our area of expertise can be conveyed and our learners can see their own potential within this career path and become excited about their own growth and development.
A great trainer is a person who can turned lived experience into a shared learning opportunity.
Encompassing their own experiences with the learning content and imparting the important and relevant context that the learner needs to believe in the trainer and by extension the learning they are undertaking from them.
This article focuses on the fact that true trainers are natural at the skill of course delivery. Of course this is not quite true, whilst one is mastering the skills of their profession, they can embark on increasing their skills in teaching. The act of teaching actually can be such that the teacher is learning twice and therefore gaining more mastery of their skill. The support of courses such as TAE can help a would be trainer increase their skills in training.
Trainers are effective when they inject passion and fun into their delivery.
A great trainer has excellent subject matter skill and experience and is a high level communicator, passionate and fun!
Beside Subject Matter expertise and experience, the best trainers are great communicators, passionate and fun.
I couldn’t agree more with the above. It takes a certain person with certain qualities to be able to train a variety of people with different needs in a way that they all achieve the outcomes of the course
Agreed some trainers are born, however I believe training can be taught due to personal experience as someone who had to overcome a fear of public speaking. I believe techniques can be taught depending on the student.
A great trainer is someone who shows passion and expertise in the field they are training. Someone who can engage and keep attention of their trainees and the trainee wanting to learn more.
I believe that a great trainer is someone who not only has extensive knowledge of their subject but who also has a passion for that subject and hence are excited to pass on their knowledge to others.
A great trainer needs to not only have excellent communication skills, but also excellent insight and empathy, someone who can put themselves in the shoes of others and understand how their students are felling and what their struggles are in order to best help them.
A trainer needs a positive attitude and an open, non bias attitude, someone who is willing and able to see each student as an individual and accept that person for who they are. Great trainers have a desire to continually further their knowledge, including being open to accepting and acting upon feedback in a positive manner.
I believe an excellent trainer is on who has a genuine and deep seeded desire to see her students succeed and is willing to assist that student to get the best positive outcome.
A great trainer is someone who can prioritise their students, facilitating learning through a multitude of mediums appropriate for different learning styles.
A great trainer will be authentic, empathetic and patient.