Development of Trainer Competencies for Ireland

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Development of Trainer Competencies for Ireland

• Simon Haslam, FMR Research Ltd
• 29 February 2008

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The project

• Commissioned by the Trainers Network (the
  Trainers Network was initiated by FÁS Irelands
  training and employment authority with EU ADAPT
  funding in order to develop the profession of
  training in Ireland)
• Project objective to conduct a survey on
  trainer competencies in order to establish
  national competency standards for trainers and
  identifying competencies for each of the
  functional areas within the training profession,
  that will be acceptable to FAS, to the training
  profession and to HETAC and FETAC (the education
  training awards councils).

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Our process (from mid 07)

• Literature/practice review
• Stakeholders workshop - via Trainers Network
• On-line survey
• Results
• Trainers Network Expert Skills Group
• Draft competencies document
• Reflective interviews (state, business, academic
  voices)
• Refined draft

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Emergent issues

• The terminology is challenging
• Initially - trainers and core competencies
• Develop national/international integration
• and future-proofing
• Ownership by a specific body (58)
• Initial level (currently) - Level 6 (Ireland) 5
  (Europe)
• Period updating
• Agreed three main headings Personal, Technical,
  Business
• with Knowledge, Skills, Competency dimensions
• Easier conceptually than practically

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Single most important goal

• Trainer recognition and quality assurance
• Uniformity/consistency (minimum standard)
• Nationally/internationally recognised acceptance
  (inc FAS/HETAC/FETAC)
• Having a workable structure where one size
  doesnt fit all

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Largest potential pitfall

• Opt-in status
• Insufficient input by the profession/ provincial
  ownership
• Losing sight of the aim of improving skills and
  that this is continuous
• Getting bogged down in a stakeholders debate
  (lack of acceptance)
• Need greater clarity
• Trying to create a single set
  compromise/generality

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Trainer
A person who facilitates the development of
competencies whether one to one, group based,
face to face or by remote means.

• Adequate term (69)
• though well defined (80)
• Familiar, generic (CEDEFOP)
• but narrow, old fashioned, implies trainee
• Learning Facilitator?
• Compromise necessary
• No presumption on job title nor training being
  someones only role

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Personal competencies

• Listening and communication
• Presentation
• Motivational
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Facilitation skills
• Conflict management
• Personal development
• Ability to use a PC competently
• Diversity sensitivity

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Technical competencies

• Understanding of learning theory
• Understanding of training methodologies
• Training support materials
• Trainer administration
• Facilitation skills
• Supporting learners in their environment
• Training evaluation and the assessment of
  learning
• Be a subject matter expert

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Business competencies

• Innovating and emerging technologies
• Identification of training needs
• Designing learning objectives
• Commercial acumen (budgeting)
• Stakeholder management
• Project management
• Personal development
• Training industry policy and regulation

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Current 12 months aspiration

• Level 6 under three headings, with underpinning
  knowledge, skills, competency
• Recognised by FETAC/HETAC and FAS
• Project management structure (with supporting
  funding in place)
• In step with NSAI, CEDEFOP, ISO
• Clear links between competencies and government
  support for training interventions
• Clear links between competencies and the
  development of trainers in Ireland