Aspiring Trainer Seeking Guidance: What Steps Should I Take to Achieve My Dream?

Hello All, I am working with an MNC company for the last 2 years. I have good communication and presentation skills. From the beginning, I have always wanted to be a trainer.

Steps to Become a Good Trainer

Please guide me on what steps to take to become a good trainer. Your one suggestion can change my future!

Regards, Priya

Hi Priya, I am also working for an MNC, and I believe that I am a good presenter. For me, that's my passion. What I did to pursue my passion is that I, along with one of my friends who is also a working professional, approached certain professional colleges so that we can impart training to their students. We had a tough time, and at last, we got one. Now I am very much satisfied because I do what I love. I have my job as well as my passion. Don't let your skills go untried. Shoot for it; definitely, you will excel.

Regards,
Ajmal Lookman
Consultant Trainer
RiseHigh | Many Solutions Under One Name

Thank you, Sir, I think I also have the same situation as you. My job is good, but I am not enjoying it. I would like to work with a professional trainer so that I can have a real training experience. This will be beneficial for me to conduct training effectively and confidently.

Effectiveness of 'Train the Trainer' Program

One more thing I wanted to know is, how effective is the 'train the trainer' training program? Should I go for it?

Waiting for a reply!

Regards, Priya

We welcome you to the world of TRAINERS!!! To be simple, I can tell you that a TRAINER is someone who should be able to engage others' minds. I appreciate your interest in this. Instead of delving into various classes like "train the trainer," you can start at your initial stage with self-preparation. Begin by handling a guest lecture or an interactive session with your juniors at the college where you completed your graduation. This will provide you with a platform easily. Assess how much you can handle, and select topics that you are comfortable with, such as self-confidence, the importance of communication, self-realization, and the truth behind truth. Prepare a presentation; it will be more effective. If you need any help, please let me know, and I will assist you.

Thanks and Regards,

ADITHIYAN

Director

SNEGYITHAM GROUPS

Adhithya gave the correct reply to your question. For gaining experience, you can conduct small programs, which will provide you with more exposure than any other sessions.

Regards,
Ajmal Lookman
Consultant Trainer
RiseHigh | Many Solutions Under One Name

Glad to know that you are a wannabe trainer. Here are a few suggestions:

Try joining the local chapters of JCI (Junior Chamber International) and/or ISTD (Indian Society for Training and Development).

JCI is basically a training organization. You will get to meet a lot of local/national/international trainers through JCI, which would change your perspective about training.

ISTD offers diploma courses in T&D. You can visit their website to find out more details.

TTT programs are good. The effectiveness of the program would depend on the institute/trainer delivering the program. You can attend one or two to get a feel. Then, you can form an opinion of your own.

No matter what you learn or which institute/organization you join, your dream to become a trainer would still be incomplete if you do not have an audience/trainees to share your learning/knowledge. You haven't mentioned what profession you are currently in. If your current profession gives you an opportunity to test your training skills, then look no further. Grab it. If it doesn't, you may have to look for other vistas.

Through JCI, ISTD, or TTT, you come across other training professionals who may give you firsthand info on how to sharpen your training skills. If you build your network carefully, you might as well be able to join/work under a professional trainer. This would also give you an insight on training as a career option.

For a newbie trainer, getting an audience is pretty difficult. You would require some time to establish yourself. So, it is really important that you persevere, enhance your knowledge continuously, and build your network of friends/followers. As a first step (if your current profession does not give you an opportunity for delivering training), try volunteering for some NGO, where you can deliver training.

You will find a lot of information on citehr. Just do some research. Patience is the key. Do not forget to Google. It would give lots of information, more than you can handle.

Last point - there are several online communities/forums that you can join. Books too would help you a lot.

All the best!

Regards,
Shibu

Thank you all for your valuable suggestions. Adityan & Ajmal sir, as you suggested, I had contacted my college committee and convinced them about my training ideas. They promised me that they will call me for a guest lecture after the summer vacation.

With this, I tried to find out various training programs offered for trainers and contacted them. I will also join some training sessions to improve my skills and knowledge about delivering effective training.

I am so happy for getting the chance to prove myself. Guys, this will be my first training, and I require your help to make it successful. If anyone has any guidelines for training, please provide me with them.

Waiting for your valuable suggestions.

Thanks & Regards,
Priya

Somehow I got attracted to this topic's thread and felt motivated to write about my experience. I am currently working in QAG (in short, my responsibilities involve ensuring process adherence for all departments, process improvements, audits, and training of QMS processes).

I used to be an introvert and a shy guy until I joined this completely new function after working in support and development for 6-8 years. Even before that, I worked in sales for around 6 years, which I did not enjoy, leading me to quit due to not doing what I loved.

When I provide training to our new joiners or project teams for any project management tool, it gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction. This is especially true when my audience is satisfied with my explanations for complex issues and queries based on my experience.

Tips for Trainers

Below are some tips I would like to suggest, which I believe would be helpful for anyone who is a trainer:

1. Make your session interactive with easy examples and questions.
2. Try to incorporate humor into live situations or examples to create a lighter atmosphere.
3. Have some relevant live examples with data related to your topic ready to emphasize the most important points of your training session.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Sushil

I am enjoying these interactive sessions. Some days ago, I was one of those who thought that the company you work for is important. However, I now believe that the work that brings you satisfaction is crucial. Like you, I am also transitioning my work profile towards my interests.

Thank you for your tips; they will definitely be useful for my future as a trainer.

Regards,
Priya

Good trainers should:

- Believe in and have a passion for what they are teaching.
- Know their material well.
- Use lots of metaphors when explaining the materials.
- Be willing to share their personal experiences with the topic.
- Have a good sense of humor about the subject and be willing to play.
- Talk to, not at or down to, the people in the class.
- Not get caught up in one person's issues in the class.
- Keep the class moving at a fast pace without losing anyone.
- Find a practical application in the class's personal life for the particular subject (e.g., Customer Service and using it at home, Time management and orderliness at home. Even computers have life issues).
- Respect everyone in the class.
- Include lots of group activities.
- Get the class to like and appreciate the subject when they leave.

Further to all the suggestions you have received, I notice you have not mentioned your current job profile. What I would recommend is to meet up with your HR or the group responsible for new employee onboarding activities and request if you could help in that activity. Presenting to these new employees in your company on topics like Company Profile, Values, Mission, and HR Policies to begin with adds value to you and will give you the confidence to stand in front of groups of people. From there (and based on feedback), you could seek a transfer into the training team.

Meanwhile, begin general reading on the topics you intend to train on. Once you become a subject matter expert, training on that topic becomes easier. Focus on no more than 3 to 4 such topics to train on. You can expand a year or two later.

Regards,
Richard

Glad you want to become a trainer. I am also a trainer, and I firmly believe that being an effective trainer is a lifelong journey. Nevertheless, we should have good communication skills. What I do is listen to various national and international renowned speakers through YouTube, CDs, TV, attending seminars, and acquiring knowledge by reading books. But you should be who you are.

Well, don't take it as criticism but only as motivation. Your writing skills are not satisfactory. (I don't know how you fare on the stage, though). There are a lot of grammatical mistakes. Sometimes I feel it is deliberate. If so, I am happy.

Tips to Enhance Training Skills

1. Acquire knowledge.
2. Prepare modules as per requirement.
3. Acquire skills in using different presentation techniques.
4. Use the Internet where you can find lots of PPTs and required information.
5. Purchase one self-help book every month.

Regards

Apart from the above, you should also consider doing a Diploma course in "Training and Development" from ISTD, New Delhi. It will help boost your confidence and enhance your knowledge.

Thanks & Regards,
Aalok

It's a good idea to become a trainer; however, training involves a lot of things. Basically and primarily, you need to improve your English because trainers don't just think; they know their subject like the palm of their hand. So, think about it and all the best.

Regards,
Ellis Nathan