INTRODUCTION
The training and development of Soft Skills, Life Skills, and Master Trainers is an instrument to meet the twin challenges of continuous improvement and demands of change. There is an ever-emerging challenge of capacity-building of trainers. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the crucial role of the Master Trainer from being a provider to an enabler, facilitator, and change agent where the learner is in the focus. We need trainers and master trainers who can understand the minds of humans who have been trained in time, and who can understand their thoughts and aspirations.
Recognizing the need for training and development of Master Trainers existing in the skill eco-system, NaITER (National Institute for Training and Educational Research) in collaboration with Life Foundation, Youth Resource Centre Ernakulam (Under the Aegis of UN Volunteers India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, UNDP) has come up with a special training program for Master Trainers (CaMP: Certification and Mastery Program) on enhancing training delivery skills. The ultimate aim of the CAMP is to mould such trainers and master trainers.
INAUGURATION
The first phase of “CaMP 2022”, the Certification and Mastery Program for Trainers and Facilitators in collaboration with the National Institute for Training and Educational Research, Life Foundation, Youth Resource Centre Ernakulam (Under the Aegis of UN Volunteers India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, UNDP) was held on November 11, 12 and 13, 2022 at Govt. Youth Hostel Veli. MLA Adv. V. K. Prasanth inaugurated the training program.
Adv. V K Prasanth (MLA Vattiyoorkkavu Constituency) inaugurating the CONCOCT (1st Phase of CAMP 2022)
The inaugural function was presided over by Mr. Sujith Edwin Pereira (Director, NaITER) and the welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Vishnu Prasad M V (Secretary, NaITER). Mr. Brahmanayakam Mahadevan (National Level Master Trainer), Mr. Kunjahammed (State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra), Dr. Ansar R N (State NSS Officer), Mrs. Beena Mol (Director, Life Foundation), Mr. Aswin Kumar (National Volunteer Specialist, UN Volunteers), Mr. Shibu K. Nair (India Co-ordinator, GAIA Asia Pacific), Mr. J.M. Rasheed (Executive Member, Kerala State Library Council) and Dr. K. Sudhakar (Executive Member, Kerala State Library Council). Mr. Sharmad Khan (Senior Medical Officer) was also present on the occasion. Mr. Vasanth Krishnan delivered the vote of thanks.
Sahitya Akademi member Smt. V.S. Bindu released the trainers’ handbook titled “Kaliyil Alpam Karyam – Seasons of Games and Activities” published by the National Institute for Training and Educational Research at the same venue.
SESSION 01
The training program started with a session by Sri Brahmanayakam Mahadevan. He covered topics like the “Purpose of training, How to become a great Trainer? How to influence people effectively?, and Trainer’s ethics”. The session was fruitful as his experience and expertise played a vital role.
SESSIONS 02 AND 03
The second and third sessions were led by Mr. Sujith Edwin Pereira. The second session was on “Introduction to SSLSTC and MTC” and the third session was on “Module Preparation”. The participants got a clear idea of how to draft a Module for Training Sessions. Participants also got an opportunity to draft a module (TASK 02) and analyze it (TASK 03).
TASK 01
The task of self-analysis and self-introduction was a very different experience. This session was an opportunity to find and present themselves with answers to a lot of questions, such as where each trainer stands, why they joined this program, what they want to gain from this program, and what is their goal. Mr. Aswin Kumar (National Volunteer Specialist, UN Volunteers) concluded the session with suggestions and expectations.
DAY 01 EVALUATION
The first day of the program ended with the evaluation of the participants. The experience of the first day raised high expectations for the coming days.
DAY 02
SESSION 04
The fourth session was led by Mr. Toney Thomas (Ex-UN Volunteer & Master Trainer) on “What Is Training All About?” which includes sub-topics like Training Global Perspective, Types of Training, Ethics and Values for a Trainer, Training and Developing, and Objectives of Training.
CHAT 01
Chat with the Master Trainer Mr. A P Prejeesh (Director, Nirbaya Debating Society) was an informative one. He used the question-and-answer method. Information like authentic sources of content, references, and methods of improvement was so useful for the participants.
MTC and SSLSTC PRESENTATION
Participants of the program led sessions on different topics. The presentation was closely watched and evaluated by the mentors. The presentation was an opportunity to think, evaluate, and correct themselves. It was an opportunity for each trainer to think for themselves and evaluate where they stand today.
DAY 02 EVALUATION
The second day of the program ended with the evaluation of the participants. Each of them assessed the errors that occurred when the session was taken. The second day was enriched by the fact that everyone was able to understand exactly what change they wanted, how to change, and what needed to be achieved in the coming phases.
DAY 03
SESSION 05
The fifth session was led by Mr. Sujith Edwin Pereira on Presentation Mastery through Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. This session has given a clear idea of how to use ethos, pathos, and logos in training sessions. The session was interactive with group activities and discussion.
TASK 04
The third day was full of brainstorming activities and group discussions. The first task was about 21st-century skills and soft skills for 2030. Participants were divided into 5 groups – one master group and 4 participants group. The discussion that took place at 3 levels after that was very interesting and aroused different thoughts. Each group presented their experiences during the discussion.
TASK 05
A trainer not only has to take a session and go back. Sometimes we have to organize a camp that lasts for two, three or four days. On such occasions, it is a great task to prepare the entire schedule. The next task was to schedule a 2-day camp. This activity helped the participant to raise their thoughts to the next level.
TASK 06
It is imperative to change the training methods with the times. Trainers should be aware of the words and interesting phrases that are popular among people (especially the youth) as the times change. The next task was to find out the words in circulation by dividing them into four groups. Very interestingly, when the teams completed the operation, they were able to find a mountain of words. Using this jargon the participants were able to prepare an urban dictionary.
TASK 07
It is very important to have a futuristic vision and goal for the career. The last task of the program was to write about “Whom you want to be in 2030?”. This activity helped everyone to have a thought about the future and set a milestone.
VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
The valedictory function started with the feedback of the participants. In the feedback session, at least some people opened up about the thoughts and shattered notions that the first phase of the certification program had instilled in each one of them. Course certificates, presentation certificates, and participation certificates of the first phase were distributed to the participants of the camp. A vote of Thanks was presented by Mr. Vishnu Prasad M. V. (Secretary, NaITER) at the concluding session of the program. The camp was officially disbanded after the group photo by Mr. Sujith Edwin Pereira.