Hi, I've been coaching and instructing in Outdoor Adventure for 20 years, increasingly using it as a tool for personal and team development, management training, away days, teambuilding etc. I now want to move into more of this training and less of the OA activities. I have a good grounding in the theory concepts, and my question is: Which qualifications would be most useful in making the transition into this area, for someone who is already a competent and confident coach in a different subject area?
I expect everyone to have a different answer (!) so please let me know your thoughts and suggestions.
Many thanks
Dan
4 Responses
Postgraduate Certificate in Delivering Soft Skills
may be for you? This is a new qualification that we piloted earlier this year. It's fully validated by University of Roehampton and run in a flexible way. What's great about it is that you can apply the concepts and ideas to any target group, the programme includes training practice and has robustness about it because of its validation. It will consolidate your existing skills and experience. Yes, there will no doubt, be lots of ideas from others so depends really, on what you most want to get out of it.
Read more on the programme and dates etc here: http://www.unimenta.com/Default.aspx?pagename=Post-graduate-certificate-in-the-delivery-of-soft-skills
There are also some video clips and some testimonials from pilot participants.
What qualifications would you recommend?
Hi
If you want a gentle easing into a trainiing qualificationthen why not try something like a PTLLS which is aimed at post compulsory education and is available from many providers in a flexible study programme.
Qualifications
Hi
If you are looking to work within commercial organisations I would advise that success is more about understanding business and application in the commercial world than obtaining qualifications. Individuals from all walks of life are currently re branding as facilitators, management trainers and coaches. The good ones understand the context in which they are working and can help their clients ground and apply learning. The less successful may understand lots of theories but have limited understanding of how to apply these in the real, not the theoretical world.
It's the equivalent of "all the gear no idea"
At the end of the day as a client we are paying for results, and when interviewing potential coaches, or facilitators I will always be more interested in evidence of previous experience demonstrating the ability to achieve ROI than in letters after thier name.
Regards
Bridget
And a good qualification should also provide….
plenty of opportunities to apply knowledge and ideas. Definitely should not be about just theory. A qualification can help to consolidate experience and expertise and ensure they are grounded in best practice. There is a lot of training available out there- there is also a lot which provides lots of activities for learners/trainees/delegates but not able to necessarily help people to draw out their learning, build their self-awareness and make positive change that lasts long beyond the training.
A qualified, experienced facilitator/trainer/coach should be able to deliver those kinds of long-lasting and sustainable results, provided they've had the right training and background themselves.