Why you should update your skills as a trainer

How often as trainers do we find ourselves telling people that in order for them and their company to stay ahead of the game they need to invest in their staff and give them training so they can stay on the cutting edge of new methods and working practices? How often do we apply that same thinking to ourselves, however?

It's very easy when we are busy to stick to the training methods that we already know and never find the time to look at what others are doing and how things have moved on. We use the same methods that we have used for years and a format we know is tried and tested. We often tell people that in order to move on and develop they need to stop sticking to tired old habits, break patterns and take risks, but do we tell ourselves that too, as trainers? Maybe it's time to take a little of our own medicine.

When was the last time you went on a course for your own CPD? Do you know where your strengths and weaknesses as a trainer lie? Do you know what skills you would like to develop further? Maybe you would like to increase your confidence in using interactive techniques or to enrich the depth of learning by using a more creative approach? Whatever you need, it's out there waiting for you. I always find it truly enlightening when I get together with other trainers and we pool our skills and learn from each other. It's usually a very positive experience and we need as much strength from each other as we can get, in these tough times.

The downturn and the fact that we may not be as busy as we would like to be is giving us a chance to take a step back from putting our nose to the grindstone and an opportunity to review our training methods. There may be coaching and courses out there that are running a little cheaper at the moment and will give you a chance to explore new ways of working, meet like minded people and add new tools to your kit.

We all want to be able to say that we are on the cutting edge of current training practices and mean it. When the upturn comes I know that I for one will be ready to offer a higher quality of service having taken the time to take a spoon-full of my own medicine and develop my own skills.

By Hilary Lewis
www.creative-training.org

Hilary is running a train the trainer day on active and interactive learning techniques, at the Chipping Norton theatre on 5th May. For more information and to book, email Hilary at bespoketraining@yahoo.co.uk