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A motivated and well-trained workforce is an essential component of any enterprise that wishes to thrive and succeed, which is precisely where the concept of the train-the-trainer model comes into play. It serves as an internal training program that has the ability to help ensure that your employees are learning and acquiring all of the skills, knowledge, and insight they need to perform their jobs well. This comes about by making employees into subject matter experts who are capable of teaching their colleagues.

What is the Train-the-Trainer Model?

The train-the-trainer model is a training framework that turns employees into subject matter experts who can then teach other members of your business or organization. For example, a group of employees is trained on new safety procedures, harassment prevention, or how to facilitate effective team meetings. Once your employees learn how to do this, they can then train their coworkers on the ins and outs of these matters. That way, other employees can learn what they need to about these topics as well. 

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Supervisors

Train-the-Trainer Model: What are the Benefits? 

Every business owner knows that employee training is critically important, but why should they consider a train-the-trainer model? The train-the-trainer model’s primary advantage is that it effectively distributes a range of new knowledge and skills to significant numbers of employees. It also provides individuals with a compelling opportunity for professional development, but these are far from the training model’s only benefits. Here are a few of the other advantages you can expect to see after integrating this model into your business:

A tailored learning experience

Internal trainers know your business’s environment and culture, along with your products, services, and the needs of your customers. This knowledge allows them to tailor the content of their training to specifically teach other employees about the most critical elements of business operations.

A cost-effective practice

Hiring one trainer to make subject matter experts of your employees- who can then train other employees- is much cheaper than hiring outside experts to train everyone within your organization.

Dissemination of information made fast and easy

Once the first group of your employees has been trained, they can then go off and train the rest of their colleagues simultaneously.

Superior training follow-ups

Since your trainers are also employees, they stay on-site and can easily follow up with their coworkers until all necessary information has been fully taught. 

Curriculum consistency 

The standard approach to the train-the-trainer model means that experts within your business are given training and then deliver that same training to other employees. This means that the same skills and information will be disseminated and learned by workers throughout your organization.  

Related: Compliance Training You Need for Your New Employee Onboarding

Internal trainer acceptance

People will often seek advice and information from their colleagues and supervisors that they already know, rather than from outside specialists.

Growing mastery of subject matter by trainers

One of the most effective and efficient methods of learning something is by teaching it to somebody else. As trainers work to teach their coworkers, they will experience new situations and encounter a range of new perspectives and questions that will expand their knowledge base and further their subject matter mastery. 

Develop an internal training team

Once employees are trained and can train their colleagues, their competence and abilities as an instructor will begin to grow. This means that you can rely on these employees the next time you need internal trainers for another subject. 

Make an appealing employer out of your enterprise 

As a progressive company that provides growth opportunities for its employees, you’re liable to attract even more prospective employees in the future who are eager to be part of your organization. 

Does your business need some help with safety training and accident prevention? Reach out to info@arrowuptraining.com or check out ARROW UP to learn more about their top-quality training services today.

Choosing the Right Participants: The Dos and Dont’s 

A group office meeting around a set of couches and a laptop.

There’s a lot that you need to consider when choosing the right employees to act as internal trainers. You should be looking for individuals to fill the position based primarily on the following characteristics: 

Respect

You should ideally choose trainers who are well respected and considered to be role models for other employees.

Communication

A trainer should have solid and practical communication skills to lead conversations and keep everyone on the same page. Trainers should also be able to navigate situations when communication becomes awkward or uncertain. 

Reflective

Trainers should be open to feedback and be able to reflect on the content that they are teaching. 

Attitude

Willingness to help others and a generally positive attitude is needed to train other employees effectively.

Expertise and experience

Someone should possess some degree of expertise and experience to be considered for a trainer position. You want to make sure that they will be effective in teaching others.

Flexibility

Trainers should be flexible and able to adapt in the face of sudden changes or issues that may come up. 

Availability 

Being an internal trainer takes a lot of time and dedication, so you need to make sure that the employees you select can take on the job alongside their other routine duties. It’s also important to make sure that you’re not overworking your employees

Related: Safety Topics To Include In Your Employee Training Program for 2021

How to Build a Top-Quality Trainer Program: Top Four Tips

An office meeting with three people around a table with laptops and one person standing to give a presentation. 

There’s a lot that you need to keep in mind when building a top-quality internal trainer program within your business or organization. To help you navigate the process, try to focus on these top four key steps:

Program purpose

You need to decide on your training program’s purpose and what goals you are looking for employees to achieve. Find the areas where your employees need the most assistance, and start your training with that.

Assessments and measurements

Determine how you’re going to objectively measure your training program’s outcomes and evaluate its overall effects on employees’ performance. You need to do this to ensure that your train-the-trainer program can grow and improve over time.

Training curriculum design and implementation

Take the time to carefully develop a training curriculum that will effectively impart training delivery skills and subject matter knowledge to your employees. Be sure to cover critical topics, such as training delivery and overall group facilitation.

Creating training materials

All of your training materials should be put together and ready to be disseminated prior to employees starting the training curriculum. This includes all handouts, powerpoints, and any other materials that employees will need to complete their training effectively. Are you looking for practical employee training courses for COVID-19 safety, accident prevention, and prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace? Take a look at ARROW UP or contact them at info@arrowuptraining.com today to learn more about how they can help.