The Middle East is as a melting pot for a wide variety of cultures and nationalities who call the Middle East home. As a result, the competition for those key positions in the corporate arena has been relatively strong – the training arena being no exception.
Initially it was believed that to be a Trainer one had to have the required credentials or qualifications. But over time the clarity around what those credentials were, differed. Training isn’t just about ‘having the knowledge’, it also involves being able to relate to the concepts on a day-to-day level and be able to share those ideas with others. It also requires one to be open to criticism, feedback and even new approaches with the passing of time.
As a Trainer by profession it became very apparent to me that besides the obvious path of gaining knowledge (through books, the internet and attending seminars or other training sessions), I would also need to gain a higher level of knowledge through my peers in the field. Some avenues worth venturing into are:
Train the Trainer Workshops
This enables –
o The building of self-confidence of the trainer by allowing them to take on a new or expanded role
o Ensures the trainer effectively communicates key messages related to course material
o Puts the training into the context of the organization and improves the relevancy
o Ensures trainers understand and utilize interactive/experiential delivery techniques properly
o Uses an internal resource to train other employees and can help form new alliances and teams
Networking
Networking is important to any professional in advancing their career, but none more so than Trainers. Attending seminars and presentations about the latest tools in your area of expertise is not only important for staying up to date on the latest advancements in your trade, but also for building and growing that network.
Document your thoughts
By documenting and publishing articles on various topics on Training, one is able to create a niche for themselves in the market. This also serves as a means of publicizing your work and opening a medium for discussion with other experts in your field. This could range from joining training discussion forums on various websites, writing articles for magazines or newsletters, or working on a project on improving training and the techniques used.
Develop your own Training Content
Work towards developing your own training content. This could be an amalgamation of content you have previously worked with and training material you have encountered along your journey as a trainer. This enhances your delegates experience in your trainings and cements your places in a specific area of expertise.
Also, try and be open to the idea of sharing or even selling this training material (once copy written) to organizations thus moving towards a more lucrative area of training.
Using these and other methods of self-improvement and self-promotion should assist your chances of increasing your resume value in the competitive market of training.
