As part of our feature on trainer development, we asked TrainingZONE members to tell us a bit about how they came to be involved in the training profession, and offer some thoughts on what it means to be a trainer today. We received a fantastic selection of responses, which will be published throughout the month. Here, Lorna Farrant, a Senior Business Trainer gives her response.
- What's your current job role?
Delivering in-house training solutions for change management programme, developing training material to support new corporate application and business processes. Delivering train the trainer, performance management and induction training.
- What did you do before this job?
I worked as a business application specialist.
- Describe your route into training
The role of business application specialist required no formal experience - the job advertised that all training would be provided. After several abortive attempts to receive relevant training for my post, I decided to write my own course (the principles of which are being used to day as part of the departmental induction. It was a bitter experience, with the whole situation culminating in a very good case, in my favour, for constructive dismissal (as I later found out). Essentially my manager felt undermined because she didn't have the skills for the job and didn't know how to develop or manage her staff. (she has since left the company). In conversation I told the Training Manager at the time, who ask to see the material I had produced and was not only impressed with my 'attempt', but also why I felt it necessary to take matters into my own hands. She offered me a job as a trainer on the spot.
- Did you always want to work in training and development?
No, I had never thought it was something I could do.
- What would you say has been the most significant event in your career to date?
The most significant event in my career to date has been receiving a personal requested from the Country Manager of our Milan office to spend 6 months in their office during the change management programme. He wanted no other trainer!
- How do you think the role of the trainer has changed since you began your training career?
It's very difficult in our company, we are very much specialists in shipping and not a lot else. Also the company culture is such that it does not see the value of training for everyone, only for the chosen 200, who are selected to become the managers of the future. This is slowly changing and with it the opportunities for us to get involved and to introduce new methods and ideas to our training delivery.
- What single thing would improve your working life?
My salary ! Seriously - the value/recognition of training within my company.
- Do you have any advice for those looking to embark on a career in training?
Be prepared to work hard and to be challenged by your students but also yourself.
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the trainer today?
Giving the most 'kick ass' training delivery, everytime!
