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, Kevin Ryan, currently taking a year out as a full-time student gives his response.
- What's your current job role?
I am currently taking a year out to complete a full-time M.A. in Human Resource Development Management Learning at Lancaster University Management School.
- What did you do before this?
I was the Training & Development Manager for the Channel Islands largest food retailer-Le Riche’s Stores
- Describe your route into training
I was training store managers in stock control procedures and then decided it would be good to have a formal training qualification. I did the Certificate in Training Practice and was promoted to Management Trainer.
- Did you always want to work in training and development?
No - I worked in line management in retail first. This proved invaluable later as I really understood what management needed to take the business forward.
- What would you say has been the most significant event in your career to date?
I think designing, delivering and evaluating the Human Resource Development plan for the company’s largest store project in the history of the organisation. It was a major challenge but proved very rewarding and an invaluable personal learning experience.
- How do you think the role of the trainer has changed since you began your training career?
I think the role has become much more strategic. It requires a great deal of business insight in order to align training to organisational objectives.
- What single thing would improve your working life?
A wider understanding of HR issues amongst non HR managers. I know I have a responsibility to educate them but I wish that other qualification routes took it more seriously when developing people.
- What's your favourite part of the TrainingZONE site?
I think the whole site is excellent. I regularly review the whole site.
- Do you have any advice for those looking to embark on a career in training?
My advice would be to get a good understanding of the specific industry in which you wish to work. Only by understanding what makes the business operate can you provide appropriate learning solutions.
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the trainer today?
Credibility and being able to show an organisation how to add value. It can be difficult to put a cost/benefit figure on a given project. How do you place a financial figure on employee motivation and esteem? Coming up with creative ways to do this whilst doing all the other operational things can be challenging.
