I currently work as an editor - a job that I have been in for five years. I am responsible for all the training of our in-house publishing systems, gained the CIPD Certificate in Training Practice and now realise that training is the career I want to pursue for the long-term.
I have continued to develop my interest in training - I designed and delivered a Train the Trainer course for the department and really enjoy helping people with their own courses.
However, the training has always been subsidiary to my editorial responsibilities and I would like to move into a full-time training role.
The technical training I deliver is too specialised and in-house to carry on elsewhere. I'd like to deliver 'Train the Trainer' and soft skills based courses but I'm unclear how best to approach potential employers given my current experience. Nevertheless, I don't think my current dual role is providing any long-term direction. I would be grateful for any advice on how best to take the next steps forward. Thanks!
Andy Barrett
4 Responses
Me too!
Hi,
I am in a similar position and would be interested in any replies to Andy’s posting too.
Thanks,
Emma
Trainer’s responsibilities
I was in a similar position and was into planning, delivering and monitoring all technical trainings for over 1000 employees.
If you like to deliver the soft skills training to external orgs, first you need to ensure that your org allows you to deliver trainings to external org. Next, you need to get in touch with important training vendors and get on their rolls of part-time trainers or freelancers.
But, what you may be further interested in is that there is more to training than just delivering trainings. There are aspects like intergratin the training model with the current development programs of the org., the impact that trainings, offered in the org., have on the perfromance mgmt front etc.
The real training process and challenge offered comes with training associated with the HR process. This is where the fun is.
So, why not look for opportunities like training & development head or training consultant of an org.?
A Little Tip!
Hello
This is slightly off topic – but one thing I have found invaluable as I have moved from training job to job – a notebook!
The web is full of excellent little snippets, quotes, energisers and icebreakers and so are other trainers that you will meet.
Just a little tip from me – if you come across something you like the sound/idea of – get a nice notebook and write it down. Even if you aren’t sure how you will use it or when you will need it!
Keep this little book on your desk and when 6/12 months down the line someone asks you to put together a session on XYZ, have a flick through your book and it is quite likely you will have something in there to help or inspire you!
As well as quotes, exercises and concepts I also jot down useful websites I come across. It can take a while to build up your notebook (I am on my 2nd one now!) but I would feel lost without mine!
Hope that helps.
Lucy
P.S. I know you could store the info electronically and I am sure that would work just as well – but I am rather fond of a paper version to flick through!
Training & Networking are the keys!
I was an engineer from an MNC based in Singapore for 4 years. I volunteered myself to do training for new engineers, prepared induction programmes for Managers and set up knowledge based learning centre within the department – all beyond my scope of work and time. I attended a few train the trainer programmes to land myself into a Senior Technical Trainer with a Telco company. After a few years of working as an in house & freelance trainer, I am now running 2 businesses in training – one in teacher training and the other in children enrichment programmes. We are also expanding in children business in Jul.
What I learnt from the experience – I network with people that are full of energy and always get out of their comfort zone to try something new. Always attend training to get in touch with like-minded people – it is expensive though sometimes but you will never know how business opportunities will spin off from meeting/discussion!
Grap any opportunities to give training or presentation – even if it means free – your are given others an opportunities to notice your talent.
Good Luck and never give up. Training is a rewarding business/career, so long as you do it right and with passion!
All the best!
Ann
http://www.gig.edu.sg