Stories of impact: Trainers in skill development

Trainers and Facilitators are undoubtedly the real influencers of change. Trainers play a critical role and directly impact designing, delivering, and managing training. It is their training and influence that students take forward to their workplaces and carry it with them in their careers.

Team NSN had the opportunity to interact with some of the trainers from Tata STRIVE, who have positively impacted the lives of several students.

Trainers in skill development

When we talk about skill development and vocational training, attention is often given to learners, their training, and their ability to cope with the challenges. The role of a trainer in the success of a skilling programme needs to be lauded since their contribution is what differentiates a student’s career.

Let’s now understand the role of a trainer as a coach and how it helps the learners in making informed decisions.

“My role as an Employability Trainer/Coach is to strengthen the technical skills of aspiring candidates with supportive soft skills ensuring one’s longevity and success in their careers. Apart from this, as a coach, I support my learners in having clear, well-defined and emotionally engaging goals”, says Ms. Kavita Sasane, Youth Development Trainer, Tata STRIVE, enthusiastically.

Trainers need to be extremely self-motivated to be able to train the learners effectively and contribute to nation-building.

When asked, what was the motivation behind joining this profession, Mr. Abraham Sadhu, Facilitator at Tata STRIVE says, “I was always inspired to create impact among the youth. With this passion, I took up a career in training by choice and not by chance. It gives me a lot of satisfaction and pride when youth are transformed through this life-changing journey at Tata STRIVE Skill Development Centres”.

Reflecting on the same question, Mr. Ritesh Kumar, Employability Skill Facilitator, Tata STRIVE says, “My motivation to join this profession is to gain knowledge on different aspects, career growth, and to contribute to the development of youth and our nation. I am proud to be part of this transformation journey of the youth.”

Training of Trainers at Tata STRIVE

Gone are the days when trainers in skill development were only classroom instructors. The role of trainers evolved over the years. Trainers act as role models, mentors, caregivers, coaches, and advisers. Trainers face many challenges while training due to emerging technology, changing nature of the workplace, remote learning, disruptions in training delivery among others. Trainers also need constant motivation and training to be able to deliver the training effectively.

Talking about some of the challenges trainers face, Mr. Abraham Sadhu, says “We come across learners with unique mindsets and different backgrounds. To make all of them stand on a single platform was a challenge. However, thanks to my training at Tata STRIVE, this has become a cakewalk.”

Sharing the experience of getting trained at Tata STRIVE and coping with the challenges, Mr. Ritesh Kumar pointed out, “Training at Tata STRIVE helped me in transforming from a trainer to a facilitator. There are mentorship sessions and training on different topics and scenarios at regular intervals. The Leadership Team is always supportive and helps us cope with these challenges.”

Since trainers are no longer expected to be just trainers but as a coach and a facilitator, they require upskilling, reskilling, and if required new skilling to be able to perform well in those roles. Tata STRIVE has taken several initiatives in this regard to make the trainers stay relevant with changing requirements.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not just the learners who had to adapt to new ways of learning but also the trainers. Trainers have invested more time and resources to adapt to the changes to keep the learners’ engagement intact in the times of online learning and teaching. To help trainers apply teaching skills in the digital world, Tata STRIVE developed a programme called ‘Become a Digital SuperSTAR Trainer’.

As we understand through our interactions with the trainers, the training at Tata STRIVE provides continuous learning opportunities, which has helped the trainers in developing management skills, interpersonal skills, awareness on training tools and techniques, technology, mentoring, coaching, and most importantly to have a positive mindset in every situation.

Also read: ‘Become a Digital SuperSTAR Trainer’ programme by Tata STRIVE – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/become-a-digital-superstar-trainer-programme-by-tata-strive/

Importance of industry exposure for trainers

Industry exposure for trainers in skill development is often not given much importance. A trainer with industry exposure and experience is aware of the nature and requirements of the industry and will be able to deliver the same to the learners.

“I have a diverse experience spanning over 14 years in sales and marketing and in customer service in industries like BFSI and Aviation. As a flight attendant, I flew around the world, explored new places, and met people from different cultures. Specifically, my aviation career broadened my horizon to a maximum and helped me improve my communication skills”, expresses Ms. Kavita Sasane.

Mr. Ritesh Kumar, elaborates further when he says, “I have more than 11 years of experience in the field of training, HR, and marketing. Having a solid exposure in the areas of management, recruitment, branding, promotional activities, and backup operation has given me an edge to be an Employability Skill Facilitator.”

Learning from a trainer with prior industry experience also lets the learners understand the nature of the work better. It helps the learners in understanding real-life situations and how to cope with them when faced with similar situations. This helps them in performing better in their respective workplaces and excel in their careers.

Tata STRIVE believes not just in trainers having prior industry experience, but even after joining as a trainer. This is important because the industry keeps evolving and changing. In this view, Tata STRIVE also organizes several events, webinars, expert talks, industry visits (pre-COVID-19) to help trainers learn about the industry continuously.

It is important to note that a role of a trainer is a multifaceted profession. With the evolving nature of the industry, disruptions in training, there is a need to redefine the role of a trainer. With the right training and motivation, trainers are bound to create many more stories of impact among the students.