Train The Trainer Training (TTT) is usually the first step in a trainer's career
. I say usually because there are thousands of corporate trainers who are experts at their field without ever having attended a TTT workshop.
Although not essential, TTT equips novices to grasp the important principles of adult learning in a short span of time. Traditionally all of us have been exposed to school and college education before we finally enter the corporate world, where suddenly everyone is a grown up and much senior to us. Teaching the adult population takes different type of skills and hence TTT workshop!
These workshops are usually of 3-5 days duration with practical experience included. Many trainers record these sessions and use them as training material to build on the basic knowledge of participants.
Typically the following topics are included in a train the trainer training:
1. Principles of adult learning How adults learn and training methodology to suit them.
2. Basic Facilitation skills How not to teach but assist in learning.
3. Making training active Different types of activities and how to use those.
4. Power point training Preparing and using a presentation effectively.
6. Use training aids Using equipments in the training room.
7. Training management Administrative aspects of Training.
If you are considering to attend a Train The Trainer Training, by all means do so. But do not expect to become an expert trainer overnight. There is a lot of practice involved between knowing the basics and being able to implement them successfully and consistently.