"I want to give training but where do I start?" This is the most common question from clients and friends who want to contribute to staff development, which also brings natural growth for the instructor: an interest in developing and growing in the exciting work of staff training and skills development. Well, dear reader, like everything in life, it has its complexities.
I have had the pleasure of developing hundreds of instructors throughout Mexico, across many industries, academic backgrounds, markets and approaches. I tell them all that those of us dedicated to training share one thing: passion. If you want to develop these skills, first ask yourself: Are you passionate about this activity? Does the nervousness of standing before a group give you such an exciting adrenaline rush that you forget fatigue and sadness? If so, we are on the right track.
Now, the issue is simple. If this is the path you are choosing to grow and develop professionally, I wish to share a "Roadmap":
- It is not just about knowing; it is about being an expert in the subject:What is your area of expertise? What do you really know well? This does not mean knowing everything, but standing out as a professional who has mastered and understands a particular field. If you do not consider yourself an “expert” in anything, the first step is to continue training, study more, certify your competencies, earn a degree or diploma, and so on. Every great instructor has an initial obligation: you cannot stand in front of a group if you do not know your subject well. Pay attention to this.
- Certify Your Competency as an Instructor:Over the years, I have seen every kind of instructor: very good ones and embarrassingly bad ones thrown into the ring “because they are the one who knows”; those who tell jokes and turn the course into stand-up comedy, with people doubled over laughing but learning nothing; those who are authorities on the subject but whose delivery has you nodding off in the first 5 mins; nervous, anxious ones who spread nervousness and anxiety; slooooooow, brooding ones who make staying alert a tiresome ordeal; “technical” ones whom nobody can understand; and the endless other specimens among us. One thing is certain: style depends on personality, but methodology and professional preparation come only through training. Take an introductory train-the-trainer course or, if you already have 2 or 3 years of experience, get certified through CONOCER (For more information, ask here: contacto@jesussanchez.com.mx)
- Develop your contents and materials: Here comes the admittedly demanding process in which everything depends on how—having learned the andragogical methodology of training, of course—you convey all that passion, creativity and love for the subject visually, graphically and audibly. For good instructors, this is where the magic begins. While assembling and building the course, you already picture yourself performing in front of the group. As I have always said, even creating the assessments becomes enjoyable; it makes you smile.
- Register at STPS: Be careful here: 90% of industries in Mexico, whatever their market, will ask you, before asking about any other certification, competency or piece of paper: “Are you registered with the STPS?” Let's clarify this issue. There is no DC-5 certificate; you are not a “DC-5” or anything similar. The famous DC-5 is the form, available online to download free of charge, that you must complete to register with the STPS. In other words, you must submit this correctly completed form, along with other basic documents and evidence that you have studied the subject you wish to register, to be included in the ministry's register of “External Training Agents.” However, this registration does NOT endorse your quality, competence or content. It does not authorize you to certify people or issue documents with academic or similar credentials. All this registration does is allow you to sign DC-3 forms, the documents companies use to demonstrate to the STPS that they are training staff through agents listed in its register. That's all.
- Time to knock on doors: Finally… here comes the difficult part. If you intend to make a living from this and sell your courses, there is nothing left but to knock on maaaaaany doors, develop compelling arguments, and be very clear about your value proposition, fees, etc., so you can offer your services to industry in Mexico. This step clearly involves many details we will explore another time (developing your image, logo, templates, business cards, uniforms, etc.). Yet this sales effort is where many of us get stuck: we think we will be hired for being “good-looking,” when the reality is that this is a very competitive market. It also requires considerable financial intelligence, because 99% of companies, whoever you are, will ask for payment terms: 15 days at best, or 30, 60, 90 or 120 days. For any entrepreneur without financial reserves, that wait can be fatal.
That, dear reader, is how you begin providing training. Of course, none of these 5 points is as easy as it sounds. They require time, dedication, love of the craft and, above all, wholehearted commitment to the passion of training.
Let me close by saying: there are thousands of instructors in Mexico—lift a stone and an instructor in something appears. The number of good instructors is much smaller. If we also require them to be well prepared, to be experts and spread their passion for the subject, very few… Industry in Mexico is crying out for these last ones. Moreover, they are paid what they are worth, and paid very well. And here… I slowly back away.
Sssssssssshowtimeeeeeeee!!!
