Train the Trainer is a training framework that prepares trainers and instructional designers with the skills they need to provide the best learning experience to employees. It is a training program that turns employees into subject matter experts who can then teach other members of the organization. Train the Trainer initiatives can be training programs that equip experienced trainers with the skills necessary to deliver content such as new technologies or a fresh sales program. Or, these training sessions may be professional development offerings that teach training and facilitation skills to those who are new to the training field or are subject matter experts (SMEs) who have been tasked to train others on content in their areas of expertise.

The Train the Trainer model expands an organization’s training capacity, saves money on external trainers, upskills an organization’s staff more quickly, and leads to consistency in training. It also promotes peer-to-peer learning and provides individuals with a compelling opportunity for professional development. The train-the-trainer approach proliferated in the United States during World War II when factories needed to train a largely new workforce quickly while enabling trainees to pass their skills along to others.

The success of a Train the Trainer program depends on selecting the correct person to act as the facilitator. This person must not only be an expert on the content and on designing training but also must be well-respected, experienced, patient, and passionate. Train the Trainer facilitators also need to have strong leadership skills, communication capabilities, exceptional listening skills, and emotional intelligence.

Benefits of the Train the Trainer model include:

• It effectively distributes a range of new knowledge and skills to significant numbers of employees.
• It provides individuals with a compelling opportunity for professional development.
• It saves money on external trainers.
• It upskills an organization’s staff more quickly.
• It leads to consistency in training.
• It promotes peer-to-peer learning.

The Train the Trainer model is particularly useful when rolling out change initiatives for a whole organization. It fits well in situations where fast dissemination of information is needed. After the initial tra...