SPEA Zone International Emergency Services Training

 

The Salvation Army South Pacific East Asia (SPEA) Zone

International Emergency Services 

PREPARE: Training of Trainers Workshop
Beas River Lodge, Hong Kong

28th - 31st January 2008

Training Report

Captain Robert Evans – Noarlunga Corps


Trainer:

Captain Elizabeth Hayward - International Emergency Services Training Officer 

This most recent workshop used the previous training as the context for equipping the delegates with the skills and knowledge to facilitate the Introduction of Disaster Management Workshop in our respective home territories.  Relationships formed during the first workshop with international delegates were strengthened as we trained together in the capacity of co-facilitators.

The training material was very practical in nature, requiring a lot of interactive learning and immediate application of the material as we learnt it.  The topics included:

• Revision of Previous Curriculum
• Getting Started:  Planning & Introductions
• Preparation:  The Training Environment
• Curriculum & Materials
• Training & Learning Styles
• Facilitating Discussions
• Planning Training Sessions
• Preparation & Presentations
• Future Plans:  Proposal for Emergency Management Training

Although the context for this training was clearly ‘disaster relief’, the topics covered are definitely transferable to any training environment.  In fact, I was able to immediately apply my learning from this workshop upon return to my appointment.  Below is an extract of an email I sent to Captain Elizabeth Hayward after facilitating training with our Community Support Services staff a week after the workshop:

“I thought you might be interested in the immediate impact the Training of the Trainer workshop has had on a short training event I facilitated on Friday with our Community Support Services staff. 

  

Prior to going to Hong Kong I had a plan in mind for this training that primarily revolved around me "telling" the participants what I thought they needed to know, based on my experience and knowledge in the topic to be trained. 

  

Upon my return, I completely redesigned the training, incorporating many of the tools I learned during the week away (see attached outline).  The result was an interactive, dynamic group experience that drew upon the collective knowledge and experience of the group being trained.  My shift from teacher to facilitator engaged everybody in the group in a way that achieved total buy-in to the training experience.  They moved from being consumers to being contributors, producing effective outcomes for their area of service. 

  

Although I always approach any training I do with enthusiasm, I can't remember the last time I, and the group being trained, went away so energised. 

  

Thank you again for your investment into my leadership development and the continued impact this will have on my role to 'equip God's people for the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ.'” 

I have developed a real passion to equip others for the work of the ministry, particularly in the area of leadership development, and found this workshop to be an excellent introduction to more formal studies I plan to commence later this year – Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training.

Upon completion of the workshop in Hong Kong, Captain Elizabeth Hayward (IES) and Karen Ng (HK Command) presented a proposal for the role-out of Emergency Management Training in our home territories.  The expectations for those who have completed the TOT workshop is to conduct a training event by 31st March 2009.  There is a budget available through funding from FedEX to assist with any associated costs, however, proposals need to be approved by our TFC and the IES.

There are many ways this training could be used in this territory to value-add to our existing Emergency Services, to prepare other officers/Salvationist for potential international deployment, or to increase our capacity at home to respond to a major disaster.