Developing facilitation skills - training for facilitators - public and in-house

Derek Stockley conducts public facilitation courses in Melbourne or Sydney and designs and conducts facilitation skills in-house training for people who are required to facilitate meetings and workshops.

This page explains the general approach.

If you would prefer to attend a public one day training program, see: Facilitation Skills Course - Melbourne or Facilitation Skills Course - Sydney.

For in-house facilitator training, see: in-house training request page or learn more about inhouse training at: in-house training explanation.

The role of the facilitator

Facilitators require a variety of skills. Many different people can be called on to facilitate a program or workshop.

Facilitation is different to training or presentation, as it involves leading a discussion or sequence of activities towards an end conclusion. This is achieved with little or no input (expertise) from the facilitator. The facilitator acts as a guide who controls the process, not the content.

In a training situation, a facilitator draws the learning from the participants. Input is not provided by the facilitator.

Facilitator training needs

Participants requiring this type of training typically hold positions that require them to facilitate programs and workshops. They may be training professionals, consultants, project managers, team leaders and managers.

The workshops they facilitate may be planning related, for example, developing a corporate plan or working out a project management approach. Often a solution is being sought.

Alternatively, facilitation may be one of the skill sets required of training professionals.

People develop their skills through many different types of training and experience, so training needs can vary. Company/organisation processes and methods can often play an important role.

Facilitation is one aspect. Design and preparation is another.

Examples of topics that can be covered in facilitator training include:

Different types of facilitation approaches
How to plan a workshop
How to maximise participation
How to use structure effectively
How to "keep on track"
How to "facilitate"
Use of aids
Presentation style
Dealing with different participants
Controlling discussion

Practical or theory based training

Needs can be skill or theory related. Some may wish to develop practical skills. They might want help in designing and/or facilitating workshops.

Others may wish to receive feedback on their presentation style, speaking skills, use of aids, general audience handling skills and the like.

Some may be looking for ideas and specific tips and techniques that will improve the quality and effectiveness of their workshops.

Others may have the practical skills. Their need is to increase their exposure to the theory behind planning and designing facilitations.

A variety of approaches can be used to design training that meets the diversity of needs described above.

Firstly, different methods can be used. Options include "class room" training and elearning/online training methods, or a combination, which is called blended learning.

Course lengths can vary. The training can be intensive or spread over a period of time.

What ever your need, you should expect to be able to facilitate well.

Training and presentation experience

Derek is a trainer, facilitator and consultant who moves between the different roles with ease. He has been designing and conducting training programs for over 25 years. He has facilitated planning and change workshops. He uses both training and facilitation approaches in his programs.

Derek can design and develop a training program specifically related to your participants’ and organisation’s needs. Each program is unique. The level of existing knowledge and skills will form the starting point for the program, whether they are at a basic or advanced level. Derek does not conduct "off the shelf" training.