Can you learn to train others?

Yes.

That’s the answer. Here’s the proof.

My father-in-law worked for several years in heavy industry in a variety of production positions. Eventually he moved from the shop floor to the office and was placed in charge of safety training. He had zero experience as a trainer and the learning curve was a steep one.

The struggle for him was a lot different than the circumstances today. He had gone to the library to borrow books to learn and simply asked people about things. But he did learn to train others, educating himself  and picking up the necessary skills.

eHow.com contributor Dana Sparks notes that there are several qualities a corporate trainer should have. They are:

  • Technical and functional skills
  • Ability to teach
  • Voice modulation
  • Humor
  • Patience
  • Encouragement
  • Knowledge of the subject
  • Self-confidence
  • Good listener

Most of these skills can be taught. For my father-in-law, train-the-trainer programs were also the key to his success. In fact, train-the-trainer programs are valuable for both the trainer and the organization. Expert Helen Camm outlines a few business benefits for training your trainers:

  • Reduced long-term dependence on expensive external resources
  • Credibility of the trainers because they understand the business, its products, and its customers
  • Enhanced career opportunities from the development of additional skills
  • Enhanced integration because the trainers understand the organization’s culture, mode of operation, and informal communication methods

As far as advantages for trainers go, I have found that a trainer benefits by improving retention skills, understanding how to work with organizational needs, and developing a sense of credibility in the classroom.

I remember my father-in-law working hard to get the training and certifications he needed for his new role. It paid off in the long run. His workplace became safer and more efficient at the same time. It was a win-win situation.

Ben Jodrey is a content strategist at Velsoft Training Materials.