Training Manager Interview Preparation Guide

Training is defined as a continuous learning process in which the employees will acquire knowledge, enhance professional skills and improve attitudes and behaviors to excel well on the job.

On the job training is a type of learning process that usually occurs in an actual work environment i.e. an employee will be learning the new job roles and responsibilities while undergoing this training.

Off-the-job training is a type of learning process that usually occurs out of an actual work environment. This involves case analysis, lectures, presentation, simulation games etc. to imbibe the concepts and brainstorm ideas in an effective manner.

The basic difference between training and development is training helps to make the employee of a company to be more effective and efficient in the present role and responsibilities of the job i.e. fulfill short term needs of any company but development helps to improve the overall personality dimensions of an employee to take up any future assignments if any and better equipped to handle any critical situations might occur i.e. fulfill long term needs of any company.

The training is effective in all means if it:
☛ Imparts new skills.
☛ Inculcates new ideas, knowledge and concepts.
☛ Is practical oriented.
☛ Not an information dump.
☛ Aligns the training needs to fulfill the organizational short and long term goals.
☛ Conducts the post evaluation to ensure the satisfaction levels to refine the future training needs.

There are different training methods like on -the - job techniques, off-the-job techniques, role playing, simulation, internship, apprentice ship, lectures, case analysis, laboratory training methods etc.

The following are the key issues to be addressed for a successful training program:
☛ Place (indoor/outdoor)
☛ Audio visual aids
☛ Relevant training materials
☛ Facilities
☛ Time schedule
☛ Non - visual aids
☛ Trainer

The role of a trainer is to develop a competency and skill sets in an individual to perform his/her effectively and efficiently in the work place. The trainer should communicate to the trainees about what is expected out of training manager in a simple and professional way.
The trainer plays a pivotal role from start to end of the training manager that includes the following:
☛ Training plan
☛ Timing of different training sessions
☛ Choosing the relevant training methods
☛ Preparing the training materials and aids
☛ Conducting training sessions and
☛ Evaluating the post training session

The qualities of a good training manager are as follows:
☛ Methodical and well-planned
☛ Highly knowledgeable and competent enough
☛ Possess relevant industry experience
☛ Good in communication/presentation and
☛ Be practical enough to make the overall training session fruitful to the trainees.

The well experienced trainer would end the training session with the summary of the whole session/story/real life business example/ feedback mechanism to evaluate the usefulness of both the training session and training manager as well.