Subject: Staff training

Hi Mel,

perhaps your answer is in your question - people are often not exicted about training. The dreaded 'T' word is assoicated with old-fashioned teachers standing up and spouting all that they know .  Whereas learning something we do every day in many ways - it is something which is experiential which challenges and excites the imagination.  How many different learning methods do you know?

The internet is a great example of a learning sandpit - have a look at a great paper from the DFES (PDF) on creating learning cultures in primary schools.

Hi Mel,

The best way to create a culture of learning is for the chief executive and the members of the leadership team to be role models for continuous learning.  A visible sign of this is that the annual report includes something about what the organisation has learned this year -- VSO's annual report is a good example.

As lifelonglearner wrote, you should extend the range of learning methods in use -- see my book 50 ways to personal development (ISBN 1 85835 2398).

See the National Training Awards website www.nationaltrainingawards.com for case studies of imaginative training programmes.

A chief executive told me that he used to regard training as a marginal activity until the Training Manager presented his report on the year's programmes in a new way.  Instead of lists of events(three courses on report writing, 30 people trained in health and safety, etc) he showed how each training actitvity had contributed to the organisation's business objectives.  "From that point on I was converted" he said.

When staff say they have no time (or money) they may be right. One alternative is to look at online training, the kind that people can go to in their own time, or in short bursts.

I've been developing a site (free) for new managers.http://www.newmanagersonline.net that lays out the basic ideas for managers and has the possibility for asking a question (response in 3 days). 

I'd very much value feedback on it as it's still in development.

By the way, I agree with andrewforrest that training needs to be described in terms of the difference it's made, rather than a list of training courses delivered. That may also need to be included in the targets or objectives for the training department - "demonstrably improve skills in xxxx" rather than "run course in xxx"

Hi there, I'm pretty new to the charity world and wondered if anyone might know of any free presentation training courses that I could attend? I am finding that they're all very expensive and our budgets for training aren't huge as you can imagine! Also, if any of you can advise on the Third Sector 'Corporate and Voluntary Partnerships' conference on the 12th November that would be great. By attending this conference it would use all of my training budget for next year, hence why I want to see what other free conference there are available.

Any help you can offer, greatly appreciated.

Hello Hannah

Welcome to the charity world Hannah!  It would be helpful to know what kind of organisation you are in and what your key training needs are.  I went to the Corporate and Voluntary Partnership conference 2 or3 years ago.  It was good- but as you say expensive.  We heard a lot from  big name companies, it was quite good for networking but not so good for core skills development.  If you are relatively new and particularly if your resources are limited you might want to look at training providers like the Directory of Social Change or NCVO (their conferences can be good too).  If it's specifically fundraising have a look at the Institute of Fundraising. I think you will find these organisations better value for money.

Good luck

Hi Hannah,

Take a look at our presentation skills section for a low-cost hints. You could also have a look at Voice Days which are listed on the KnowHow events board.

Thanks both for your help. I work for Dyslexia Action, we are a national educational charity and the Uk's leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. I have been to a couple of IoF conferences and also some of the Directory of Social change workshops at the free Forum3 event last week which have all proved very beneficial.

I will certainly have a look at presentation skills section as like you said, the event on the 12th although fantastic for networking and potential funding opportunities, it's wouldn't be particularly benefcial to my personal development.