Dear All
Until many months ago, I combined the odd bit of freelance training with being an employed part-time L&D Manager. For various personal reasons, I have been completely out of things for quite some time. I'm concerned that my knowledge is not up to date, and that my confidence needs re-building, but, until I am earning properly again, I need to undertake any self-development/updating without incurring costs.
I wondered if members have any good advice on how to go about this? I've thought of books, websites, and even offering to help out or facilitate for free on suitable training courses, as it would obviously be helpful for me to see trainers in action. Basically, any thoughts or guidance from you all would be extremely helpful (and motivating!).
Thanks you.
Christine Dunford
6 Responses
Training Provider
Hi Christine
How about working for a Government funded Training Provider where you could work amongst Trainers and Assessors and also carry out Inductions etc to get you back in to it.
The Training Provider will also be in a position to sponsor you through some up to date qualifications.
Within 2 years I would think you would be pretty up to date and ready to face the world again!
Good luck.
Steve
charitydays
Hi Christine
get in touch with charitydays, at http://www.ukcharitydays.co.uk; there are always charities looking for free/lowcost training and this will gie you the opportunity to get back into the thick of it
I’m interested in trainers who might like to give a bit of time/input for a specific charity I’m involved with so feel free to drop me a line rusdotslateratskydotcom for a chat about whether you could help us with delivery
Rus
Books etc
Hi Christine
Things haven’t moved on that much in the past few months – I’m sure you will soon feel like you’re ‘back in the saddle’! Meanwhile I can definitely recommend a great book I’ve just read – How to Run a Great Workshop by Nikki Highmore Sims. I loved it and found it full of good ideas that are easy to apply to your sessions.
You might also like to think about talking to your local networking events – they are always on the look out for good speakers – just choose a topic that you are passionate about and that would be of interest to your audience.
All the very best – I’m sure you’ll be fine – it’s like riding a bike and it’ll soon come back to you!
Caroline
Free learning
Hi Christine,
I second Caroline’s book suggestion.
Regularly visiting websites such as this one and joining online groups – there are a number on LinkedIn, will probably help you to feel like you know "what’s going on in the world of training".
If you are a CIPD member, the regional branches have free events, where you can learn from other trainers/presenters.
And volunteering your skills as Russ suggests, can be a very useful learning experience. I did this when I started, offered a session for free with the condition that the team manager would give me some feedback a few days after the session. I recommend it.
All the best!
Pilar Orti
Charity Days
Great idea Russ
I just registered with Charity Days.
UPDATING SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE
Thank you all for taking the time to do this – what a brilliant variety of replies! Inspiring and good ideas, so much appreciated.
Rus, I will investigate the Charity Days site and get in contact.
Christine