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, Gary Cookson, manager of the staff development department at Mid-Cheshire college responds.
- What's your current job role? Currently managing the Staff Development department at Mid-Cheshire College in Northwich, Cheshire. Department has 3 people - me, IT Training Officer (0.5) and Administrator (0.5), and we support the development of 600 staff across three main sites.
- What did you do before this job? I was Training & Development Officer for Broadcasting Support Services, based at their learndirect helpline offices in Manchester. A standard training role, designing and delivering whatever was needed to whoever needed it.
- Describe your route into training I fell into it. I trained as a teacher and tried that for a bit, realising that in theory I enjoyed teaching but in reality hated it, mainly because of the additional work which came with it and took up your weekends. I took a contract job at ICI in Runcorn doing some quality management work, and through the implementation of a new quality system based around processes gained responsibility for training in the new processes and procedures, aswell as consulting around business improvement projects. Saw this as a natural release of my talents and decided to try training full time.
- Did you always want to work in training and development? Not really. I'd say its only in the last three or four years, maybe since I was 24, that I have really begun to appreciate what training is. Now I can't see myself doing anything else.
- What would you say has been the most significant event in your career to date? Aside from career moves which are always significant, I'd point to a chance meeting with then-Chair of CIPD Manchester branch Wyn Llewellyn which developed into doing some work together at ICI and sparked my interest in a career in training, and has developed into a good friendship since.
- How do you think the role of the trainer has changed since you began your training career? In my own experience I've moved away from direct training delivery to a more behind-the-scenes consultancy role, and any work I do now is more based on facilitating learning rather than training.
- What single thing would improve your working life? Aside from money and additional admin support? Managers who view training & development as a key strategic function and have respect for the professionalism of people working within the HRD field.
- What's your favourite part of the TrainingZONE site? Any Answers - a valuable source of information and help.
- Do you have any advice for those looking to embark on a career in training? Get some informal experience first before making the leap into full-blown qualifications and demanding roles.
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the trainer today? How to demonstrate bottom-line results to a sceptical organisation.
