As part of our trainer development feature, we've asked representatives from the three major institutes involved in developing those in the HRD field to answer some key questions about the services they offer, the support available to training professionals and some of the issues affecting them in the workplace today. Here, Colin Steed, Chief Executive, Institute of IT Training gives his response.
TrainingZONE: How do you support trainers accredited through your institution?
Colin Steed: Our certified training members are supported through a huge range of benefits, networking and support. Notably, we run free online seminars, hold networking events throught the country, and run an unique CPD programme which is a requirement for membership renewal.
TrainingZONE: The training market is constantly changing - how do you keep your programmes for trainers relevant?
Colin Steed: The Institute's certification programmes are underpinned by competency frameworks that are in line with National Occupational Standards and regular consultation with relevant industry sectors to distill best practice.
TrainingZONE: How does the Institute keep up-to-date with current training theory and practice?
Colin Steed: We are one of the prime leaders in developing competency frameworks for training and development staff - an example is our world firsts in developing e-Learning standards, competency frameworks and certification programmes for e-learning tutors, developers, consultants and managers which are being used as a standard for Government, blue chips and corporates throughout the world.
TrainingZONE: Do you provide support to in-house training departments to help identify and provide training for their trainers?
Colin Steed: The Institute's Training Provider Accreditation Programme has been running for over 8 years and our Internal Training Department version has some 50-60 major corporate training departments accredited. This programme covers trainer monitoring, assessment and development as part of the process. The programme is now becoming the standard accreditation for Government organisations.
TrainingZONE: What practical advice would you offer trainers who are having difficulties finding time to devote to their own CPD?
Colin Steed: Employed trainers need to actively identify and justify development outcomes in relation to the business they are in and show business value. Freelance trainers need to budget the time/cost into business planning in line with commercial and career development. The Institute's free seminars and events, for example, help them with their CPD in a very cost-justifiable way. Additionally, we help them keep their CPD records by having a free online CPD record keeping facility on the web site.
TrainingZONE: Do you provide opportunities for members to meet up and share experiences?
Colin Steed: Yes, we have a series of opportunities: Regional Groups, forums, notice boards, as well as online meetings, forums and seminars. Our new National Trainers' Conference was a huge success not only because of the programme of events but for the networking opportunities - and we plan to hold more sessions at next year's event in May 2004.
TrainingZONE: Most trainers identify their own preferred methods of delivery and theories they subscribe to - for example, a trainer might chose to become an NLP practitioner or e-learning tutor. Is it difficult to create programmes which are relevant to all?
Colin Steed: The Institute feels that the underpinning competency frameworks that it offers members provides a basis for providers to develop relevant programmes. Skill sets vary, albeit with overlaps, and therefore one programme cannot fit all without building in learning redundancy.
TrainingZONE: Does the Institute's work involve liaison with government bodies such as the Employment NTO, Learning and Skills Council and the Learning and Skills Development Agency?
Colin Steed: Yes, very much so. We are working closely with the Learning & Skills Council on trainer development and accreditation programmes, as we are with UfI, Employment NTO and other bodies such as many Sector Skills Councils.
TrainingZONE: The government White Paper on skills published this month doesn't seem to address the need to develop trainers at all - do you think UK trainers as a whole are sufficiently skilled for the work they do, or does the much-vaunted 'skills gap' also apply to those involved in training others?
Colin Steed: This is an issue that is fundamental to the Institute of IT Training's formation and continued existence. The document, by ommission, simply does not recognise the importance/requirement of a quality standard across both private (commercial) and public sector training organisations and the component trainers ( classroom, Open Learning Centres, distance and e-Learning). Whilst the Institute has made huge inroads into significant public sector management consciences and practical take up of skills and accreditation programmes, this is still a bottom-up occurance. It is not so much of a skills gap within the IT training community but rather a lack of appreciation of the requirement and need for - and mandating of - relevant standards and quality requirements for training providers (both commercial and public sector) and individuals running/facilitating user training. We are, as I said earlier, working with various Government departments on this issue so there is hope on the horizon for all.
TrainingZONE: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the trainer today?
Colin Steed: Without doubt it is both a challenging yet rewarding time for training professionals right now. I would say to all training professionals, no matter what discipline they are in, that it is imperative that they are seen to provide direct business value to the customer at individual and management levels. If they join the Institute, we shall help them do just that.
