Can anyone help me in knowing how to start my career as a soft skills trainer? I am looking for information on the training methodology and process. Should I pursue any certification courses for the same? If yes, please recommend good training consultants in Chennai.
Thank you.
Regards,
Shobana Ganesh
From India, Chennai
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Thank you.
Regards,
Shobana Ganesh
From India, Chennai
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Hi,
At the outset, let me compliment you on deciding to be a trainer. I am taking the liberty of adding my suggestions for your consideration.
To be a good trainer, a prerequisite is good communication skills, and in particular, effective presentation and public speaking skills. However, the heart and brains of the training still remain the domain knowledge, but even the most knowledgeable person would fail miserably as a trainer without effective communication skills. Remember that in training, your objective is not to outsmart or outwit the participants but to take them along. Ideally, an MBA from a good institution and work experience would dramatically enhance your skill and effectiveness as a trainer, and I would urge you to focus on that first before embarking on a training career. However, you must create/find opportunities to begin your training quest, perhaps by addressing social organizations like Rotary/Lions clubs and also taking sessions for college audiences.
To get the academic inputs on training, you can do the course from the Indian Society for Training and Development (ISTD) as planned. Alternatively, you can also attend some Train The Trainer (TTT) programs offered by private institutions.
To get going, focus on those topics that you are familiar with, confident about, passionate about, or have a good grounding in. Keep updating yourself by reading extensively and start outlining the broad course contents, keeping in mind the type of audience you are likely to address. In particular, pay attention to the type of exercises, examples, and activities that you will use during the program to reinforce a point or make the learning relevant. I would also suggest that you attend some corporate training by professionals on topics of your interest to get a feel of how it is structured and delivered.
As mentioned earlier, to make up for the lack of corporate training experience, ideally take a few sessions for postgraduate students in colleges or for social service clubs like Lions and Rotary's so that you gain experience and also can fine-tune your material. Once you are confident, approach a few corporates, and the first few training programs are vital for future reference and for your own confidence.
I would also invite you to visit the Inspirational and Motivational Blog listed at the end of this post, which can also assist you in the mission of becoming an effective trainer.
Best Wishes
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
508At the outset, let me compliment you on deciding to be a trainer. I am taking the liberty of adding my suggestions for your consideration.
To be a good trainer, a prerequisite is good communication skills, and in particular, effective presentation and public speaking skills. However, the heart and brains of the training still remain the domain knowledge, but even the most knowledgeable person would fail miserably as a trainer without effective communication skills. Remember that in training, your objective is not to outsmart or outwit the participants but to take them along. Ideally, an MBA from a good institution and work experience would dramatically enhance your skill and effectiveness as a trainer, and I would urge you to focus on that first before embarking on a training career. However, you must create/find opportunities to begin your training quest, perhaps by addressing social organizations like Rotary/Lions clubs and also taking sessions for college audiences.
To get the academic inputs on training, you can do the course from the Indian Society for Training and Development (ISTD) as planned. Alternatively, you can also attend some Train The Trainer (TTT) programs offered by private institutions.
To get going, focus on those topics that you are familiar with, confident about, passionate about, or have a good grounding in. Keep updating yourself by reading extensively and start outlining the broad course contents, keeping in mind the type of audience you are likely to address. In particular, pay attention to the type of exercises, examples, and activities that you will use during the program to reinforce a point or make the learning relevant. I would also suggest that you attend some corporate training by professionals on topics of your interest to get a feel of how it is structured and delivered.
As mentioned earlier, to make up for the lack of corporate training experience, ideally take a few sessions for postgraduate students in colleges or for social service clubs like Lions and Rotary's so that you gain experience and also can fine-tune your material. Once you are confident, approach a few corporates, and the first few training programs are vital for future reference and for your own confidence.
I would also invite you to visit the Inspirational and Motivational Blog listed at the end of this post, which can also assist you in the mission of becoming an effective trainer.
Best Wishes
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Kilama,
Please don't feel upset that I am pointing out something in your posting/query. If you want to become a trainer, first and foremost, your English communication should be good, or for that matter, in any language in which you want to become a trainer. I found two or three mistakes, what we call homophones - "weather" and "whether" is one. If you are preparing your own content for training, then you should be more conscious and specific about spellings and grammar. Otherwise, the focus will be lost when the participants start picking mistakes in your presentation/communication.
Best wishes
From India, Bengaluru
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Please don't feel upset that I am pointing out something in your posting/query. If you want to become a trainer, first and foremost, your English communication should be good, or for that matter, in any language in which you want to become a trainer. I found two or three mistakes, what we call homophones - "weather" and "whether" is one. If you are preparing your own content for training, then you should be more conscious and specific about spellings and grammar. Otherwise, the focus will be lost when the participants start picking mistakes in your presentation/communication.
Best wishes
From India, Bengaluru
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Dear Shobana,
I work as a coach and a soft skills trainer, and just like you, I had decided that this is what I wanted to become at the beginning of my career.
Sharing the following points from my experience and observations:
1. Do not settle for anything else but the profile you decided on.
2. If you have completed your masters in MBA, MA, or something similar, you don't need any certification for now; you are good to go.
3. Be clear about your basics. For example, what does it mean to be a soft skills trainer? What do you have to offer as a potential trainer? Is it your command over the English language, neutralizing accents, etc.?
4. If you are aiming for big organizations, they usually prefer experienced trainers. However, you can be a part of their team and assist in other roles.
5. Any certification in India is valuable only when you have some experience.
6. Please read and keep yourself updated on the training and development trends worldwide. Refer to sites like HBR and others.
I hope I could be of help to you.
Regards,
Tania
From India, Pune
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
I work as a coach and a soft skills trainer, and just like you, I had decided that this is what I wanted to become at the beginning of my career.
Sharing the following points from my experience and observations:
1. Do not settle for anything else but the profile you decided on.
2. If you have completed your masters in MBA, MA, or something similar, you don't need any certification for now; you are good to go.
3. Be clear about your basics. For example, what does it mean to be a soft skills trainer? What do you have to offer as a potential trainer? Is it your command over the English language, neutralizing accents, etc.?
4. If you are aiming for big organizations, they usually prefer experienced trainers. However, you can be a part of their team and assist in other roles.
5. Any certification in India is valuable only when you have some experience.
6. Please read and keep yourself updated on the training and development trends worldwide. Refer to sites like HBR and others.
I hope I could be of help to you.
Regards,
Tania
From India, Pune
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