If you have plenty of experience within the food industry, but you’re looking for a job which offers more flexibility, why not consider becoming a trainer?
Many people who have had demanding technical roles in food manufacturing have gone on to become very successful tutors. They understand food safety and HACCP and have the qualifications to prove it; moreover, having worked within the food industry themselves, they understand various processes and the challenges experienced by the people they are training, because they have been involved with them firsthand. Having a training qualification opens up different possibilities – you could become an in-house trainer for a large company, or work for yourself.
Those who’ve made the career switch often find they have better working hours, less responsibility, and their day is less stressful. Plus, if they become freelance they can pick and choose the jobs they take. In effect, they’re putting their skills and experience to work in a different way, which is very rewarding.
Join the Verner Wheelock team
Here at Verner Wheelock, we’re always interested to hear from potential trainers with good technical backgrounds. So if you think you fit the bill, please get in touch. As part of our freelance team, you’ll get the chance to offer in-house training, or classroom-based training at our modern facility in the picturesque grounds of Broughton Hall at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. You could also become part of our team offering specialist consultancy services.
The first step towards achieving this rewarding vocation is to enrol on our Training the Trainer course – training which every Verner Wheelock trainer has undergone themselves at some point in their career. The course leads to the CIEH Level 3 Award in Training Principles and Practice and, on successful completion, if you already hold Level 4 Food Safety or equivalent and have relevant industry experience, you will be qualified to teach Food Safety up to Level 3. The next course begins on April 20th, so why not take the plunge?
All the skills and techniques you need to become a successful trainer
As you will already know, regular and effective training is essential if high standards of food safety are to be achieved and maintained within the workplace. ‘Training the Trainer’ has been designed specifically so that you can deliver effective, relevant food safety training to food workers or supervisors. The course focuses on the training skills required to deliver any subject – whether that may be food-related, health and safety, or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
You’ll learn appropriate training techniques;
- methods to make training inclusive and inspire and motivate learners;
- what makes an environment conducive to learning;
- how to use equipment and support materials effectively;
- how to plan, deliver and evaluate training sessions;
- different assessment methods and the need for record-keeping.
Most importantly, you’ll get to put your knowledge, experience, and newly-acquired skills into practice by designing and planning your own training programme, which you will deliver to the other course members. This format also offers the opportunity to learn from others in the group by observing their teaching sessions and providing feedback as part of the assessment process.
The course assessment also includes a 1,000-word assignment completed during the course which includes a summary of the subject matter for the micro-teach session and a structured plan on how the material will be delivered.
And, of course, our experienced trainers will provide you with expert guidance throughout the three-day course.
As well as an excellent way to start a career in training, the Training the Trainer course is a good refresher course for qualified trainers who haven’t worked for a while – perhaps due to other work or family commitments. We hope to see you next month!