Assessing a Great Training Agent by Cindy Stradling CSP, CPC
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sing an outside partner for training can be a valuable way to increase productivity, ensure employee development and keep your organization running with optimal efficiency. However, it’s extremely important to choose the right training partner so that your money is not wasted and so that employees find the time they spend training to be worthwhile.
Of course, there are many specific things you may look for in a training agent, depending upon your business and the exact skills the trainer will be working on with your employees. However, trainers of any sort need to possess three important skills. As you evaluate your options, keep these three things in mind.
1. Knowledge. Any good trainer is knowledgeable in his or her field. Beware of trainers who only know the material at the “50,000 foot” level, as your most seasoned employees will spot it a mile away, and the trainer will lose credibility. Your employees must believe that this person can actually teach them something, or their time is wasted.
2 Creativity. Even in grade school, we all remember liking the teachers who taught us in creative ways. If you want to keep your employees engaged in training, choose a trainer who thinks and teaches “outside the box”. Activities and exercises, even if employees balk a little at first can create the most memorable training experiences.
3. Willingness to change. The trainer who is doing things the same way he did them five years ago is not going to bring much value to your organization. Look for trainers who are consistently honing their own skills, both in the classroom and on the job. You may have to pay a little more for a trainer who spends time being trained himself, but it’s well worth it in the long run.
Outside training can be a large budget item, especially for a small business. However, it can be one of the most valuable tools you have in keeping your employees growing and keeping your business on the cutting edge. It’s important to not always go for the cheapest option, but it is also critical to ensure you get good value for your money. By choosing to work with an experienced training agent can simplify the process and reduce the risk of outsourcing. A qualified training agent will first thoroughly understand your needs then connect you with the Perfect Fit training solution provider.