CTP -A course that teaches you to assess, design, implement and evaluate!

The CTP graduating class - July 2012

Armi Stephanie Trenas - our trainer in course design

Jamal (MACC) and Kirit (UN) doing their presentation on corruption

My group members - Lourdes and Hidayah

The top presenters in our class - Lourdes and Syikin from Dominos

The ever lively Lourdes

Ron and me doing our "NLP Techniques"

Recently, I took a 10 days course called “Certified Training Professional (CTP)” programme at the Institute of Training and Development (ITD) at Plaza Mont Kiara. Upon completion of the course, the participant will be awarded a “Certificate of Achievement” which will enable the participant to be a HRDF (Human Resources Development Fund - a statutory body) trainer. ITD is the only private institute in Malaysia that has been given the privilege of training participants to be HRDF trainers.

What does it mean to be a HRDF trainer? When one becomes a HRDF trainer, the person can conduct in-housing training for companies who are HRDF contributors. HRDF contribution is compulsory for certain categories of companies. Therefore, in order to utilise the funds, the companies can apply to HRDF to use its contribution for payment to the HRDF trainer. A few years ago, I remembered a few companies approached me to conduct some in-house training for them. When I informed them that I am not a HRDF trainer, their offers were suddenly kept in abeyance! Now that I am a  HRDF  trainer, it is time to revisit the offers.

The CTP Programme is a rather comprehensive programme that covers five modules which consist of “The Trainer in the Organization”, “Training Needs Assessment”, “Training Design”, “Training Implementation” and “Training Evaluation”. In summary, it teaches the participants to do a needs assessment (job analysis and competency) to see what is lacking in the area of job performance in the company. Once, the information has been gathered, the trainer will then design a course to address that shortcoming. It is interesting to note that there are people who are specialised in just designing courses. I understand that they are paid a lot of money for doing just that. They used to be called “Course designers”. Now, they have a fancier name, they are called “Instructional Designers”. After designing the course, then we have the implementation stage where we look into the different learning styles, presentation and delivery. The final stage is known as the “Training Evaluation” where the trainer evaluates the training that has been conducted. In other words, measuring the results or benefits obtained by the participants as the consequences of the training.

What I find really useful in the course is that it formulates and gives the participants a systematic approach in doing all of the above -ie: from conducting needs assessment to evaluation. In particular, I find the module on "Training design" really useful and enlightening.

I enjoyed all of the 10 days of the training. I met many wonderful and interesting people coming from the MACC Training Academy (Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission), the Securities Commission, the UN Mission in Iraq, Old Town White Coffee, Dominos and many others. During the training, we were either asked to work in pairs or in groups. I was fortunate enough to pair up with a nice guy by the name of Ron (Ahmad Razlan) where we did our presentation on “NLP Techniques”. The other members in the group were a Filipino lady by the name of Lourdes (who is an excellent singer and a very jovial person) and Hidayah Khalid (a make up specialist). It was great fun working with them.

I also met a few interesting people like Kirit Makita who works with the United Nations Mission in Iraq and like all loyal Japanese, he loves everything Japanese. During his stay in KL, we have gone to the 100 Yen shop numerous times! Kirit and Jamal (from MACC) did a fantastic presentation on reporting corruption as part of their team project. I have also met Mahmoud (a Palestinian who is currently doing his Masters at the Universiti Sains Malaysia) and Bader who is from Oman. We have also tasted beautiful “2 in 1 coffee” courtesy of Queenie (Old Town White Coffee). We have got our Generation Y people like Izzatul and Youlinda who brought youthfulness to the training programme. We also have brilliant participants in the form of Syikin (Dominos) and Yusni (SIDC) and who can forget Mae (formerly from HSBC) who brought wisdom to the training. The training was conducted by Mario del Castillo and Armi Stephanie Trenas, both from the Philippines. However, Mario has been living in Malaysia for more than 12 years and is quite “Malaysianised”

Upon completion of the training, not only will the participant be a HRDF trainer but there is also an opportunity for the participant to become a certified trainer with ARTDO (Asian Regional Training an Development Organization International), a non-profit organisation of which ITD is a member. However, in order to be certified by ARTDO, the participants have to submit an actual training programme within 90 days from the date of completion of the CTP course. Quite a challenge but many participants are up to it.

I had a great time with all the guys and gals. Many of them are now my facebook friends. I will be using this new found knowledge in my future trainings. Stay tune!