4 Responses

1. transfer of qualifications
   Hi Zoe
   The qualification you have is fine. A number of trainers aspire to C Ed.

   The big challenge you may have is in adapting style, most roles in the training secror are not about facts but about behaviours and attitudes.

   You might wat to do some reading around accelerated learning and soft skills training.

   I wish you well with your new career

   Mike
   http://www.rapidbi.com

2. Moving from education to training
   Zoe
   I agree with Mike, the Cert Ed is fine (though something more, such as a Diploma in L&D, may be better in some spheres and could give you a better feel for training if that is something you lack). Probably more important are your personal and professional skills (from designing to delivering, from consulting to advising) and your subject knowledge and experience.
   Best of luck!
   Graham

3. Mind Set Change?
   The key thing that comes into my head about this change ‘might’ be the mind set change required in the transition from education to training. Education, as I perceive it, is aimed at developing the individual to achieve their full potential so that they might participate and contribute to the society in which they live.

   Primarily the focus of training is not about helping the individual to achieve their full potential. It is about recognising where the host organisation is going, what it wants to achieve and accomplish. It follows that the trainer then identifies where there are shortfalls in terms of knowledge or skill within the workforce and then introducing development initiatives which close the gap. In some cases, this might align with helping the individual to achieve their full potential, in other cases it’s about helping to develop and focus the energies/abilities of workers onto essential tasks and demands, some of which might not be all that edifying or personally rewarding. But, if they possess the necessary skills and abilities the defined goals and targets can be achieved with some degree of effectiveness and personal reward.

   Cleaning lavatories might not be everyone’s idea of achieving their full and personal potential, however, learning how to do it efficiently, with the best results for the least cost and time is what is required and training has to equip workers with the necessary tools to do this.

4. have you thought about training in FE or HE?
   Dear Zoe

   Have you thought about becoming a trainer in an FE or HE setting? Many universities and colleges would welcome somebody with experience of teaching and an understanding of the culture of the sector. Although staff development is often about meeting organisational needs, in HE there is also a focus on developing the careers of individuals. I have found working in HE staff development a very interesting and rewarding career. If you have plans to eventually train in another sector, this could be an excellent stepping stone.

   Good luck!
   Emma