Train-the-Trainer

A firm requirement throughout the GxP regulations and the various ISO standards is that individuals are appropriately trained and qualified to do their work.

Inevitably, that appropriately trained and qualified comes down to the trainer who is conducting the training. How do we train our trainers to ensure that individuals are learning and acquiring all of the skills, knowledge, and insight they need to perform their roles well.

Inadequate training is a consistent finding across the GxPs, so you have to ask are we training our trainers to an appropriate level to make the training effective? Equally important you are spending a lot of time and money training people so you want it to be effective and worth the resources spent.

There are really two options for trainers: 1. Trainers who become qualified to teach a course and 2. SMEs who are qualified to be trainers. In either case, you need that qualification mechanism to ensure your trainers can train. I’ll be honest for technical material I prefer SMEs being trained to be trainers as the experience is usually a whole lot better for the trainee.

This training focuses on being able to deliver informal and formal learning solutions in a manner that is both engaging and effective. Be able to:

• Manage the learning environment.
• Prepare for training delivery.
• Convey objectives.
• Align learning solutions with course objectives and learner needs.
• Establish credibility as an instructor.
• Create a positive learning climate.
• Deliver various learning methodologies.
• Facilitate learning.
• Encourage participation and build learner motivation.
• Deliver constructive feedback.
• Ensure learning outcomes.
• Evaluate solutions.

This qualification path will prove itself valuable.Through this we can ensure that our trainings meet their four objectives and that participants can demonstrate:

1. Awareness: Participant says, “I’ve heard that!”
2. Understanding: Participant recognizes the subject matter and then explains it.
3. Practice: Participant actually uses the learning on the job.
4. Mastery: Participant can use the acquired knowledge to teach others.

Being a trainer is critical for true subject matter expertise and process ownership.

And as an aside, notice I didn’t include instructional design, this is where your training team can really add value!