What is Train the Trainer? (Article)

This free article explores the implications of the name "Train the Trainer".

Derek Stockley is a training, learning and performance consultant based in Melbourne, Australia.

In the last newsletter article about business names, I mentioned receiving an email from a participant in an upcoming Train the Trainer program asking the question:

"I have a question in regard to the title 'Train the Trainer' - is it true that this term is 'out of date' and what we've known as TTT is now being named something else?"

This newsletter is based on my reply.

"Train the Trainer" has been around for a long time. I personally have been using the term for over 30 years.

I may have a bias, but I believe it accurately reflects the nature and the content of the course you are about to attend.

Learning is a more 'in vogue" term than training, but I believe it has a broader meaning and context, see: difference between training and learning.

Since I define training as "the conscious and planned process of transferring knowledge, skills and attitudes to others", I believe this is what I will do on the course. There will also be learning, but my approach is to share the essential training concepts/methods with you and the other participants. This is so you can in turn pass on your KSA (knowledge, skills and attitudes) to others, see: key training skills.

I wrote an article for Training Magazine Australia about training issues (including the name problem), see: Training in Australia is everybody's responsibility.

My final comment relates to the formal training qualification here in Australia. The title includes 'training' but also 'assessment'. The focus on assessment comes from the strong VET/VTE focus, see: Training and Assessment Qualifications.

As you can see, the formal system is very complex. The new certificate is about the equivalent of 15 days full-time study, plus the assessment activities.

I apologise for the long answer, but it is an issue I have given some thought to. "

Derek Stockley

Conclusion

Many articles now talk about the skills shortage in Australia and the increasing competition for talent. Whatever the name, many team members need to develop and use training skills. I continue to believe that trainer training is a very good investment.

Your comment

If you have a comment you would like to make, or you would like to share your experience, please send the comment to one of the email addresses listed below.

Past favourite

Professional development and continuous improvement - the link between professional development and continuous improvement.

Related information

• Training Articles.
  

You can subscribe to this free newsletter. Only your name and email address is required, see: High Performance Newsletter Administration page. Your privacy is protected, see privacy page. Each article is short, easy to read and to the point. The newsletter is designed to provide useful management information and tips, not to promote products or services. You will not be bombarded with promotions.

To review the newsletter, see: Listing of recent newsletter articles. All articles relate to a performance theme, but individual newsletters cover a specific topic. Themes include customer service, leadership, management, website marketing and time management. You can see all articles in chronological order at: Listing of newsletter articles in chronological order.

All articles are original. You can publish this article, provided that you meet certain simple requirements, see: High Performance Newsletter Publication page.

The major portals on this site are: Training Courses and Consulting, Learning, Performance Management and Website Optimisation.

Derek Stockley conducts in-house customer service training and consulting, see customer service training and consulting.

Derek Stockley conducts public training courses in both Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

This article was originally published on 12 July 2007.