General Approach
Marlagh Training has 3 Training Consultants (Dorothy Jones, Hilary Caithness and Annette Quinn) who specialise in soft skills training. The trainers have co-designed all the courses. They work closely together and often co-deliver courses to evaluate the course, the materials and each other's delivery style.
We concentrate on the 'how to skills' rather than just the theory. All the training consultants have the necessary hands on skills. These skills have been gained from the experience of 'doing the job'. This means that all training or consultancy services provided are; down to earth, practical, useful and actionable. In other words the service provided makes a difference.
We view our role as being trainer / developer / facilitator. Using innovative and creative approaches to developing learning and changing behaviour we use a combination of on the job training, mentoring, coaching and facilitating along with group exercises.
Before the course, our trainers seek to get a full brief
- to clarify specific objectives
- to ascertain numbers for the course
- to understand the role and needs of the audience
- to confirm what pre-course work is required from course delegates
Marlagh Training provides interactive training using accelerated learning methods as well as case studies. practical exercises, workbook based examples, live demonstrations and 1:1 coaching.
Pre-Course Preparation and Design
Ideally we would spend some time with nominated key staff to gather information on the types of work undertaken in the various business areas. This would allow us to gather examples and obtain a general assessment of the levels and standards of writing currently in practice. We could then develop a work book with customised examples to be used during the training. (Naturally we would write examples based on the sample material rather than use actual documents.) These examples would be available in either hard or soft copy for delegates in advance of the training. We would also ask delegates to bring some samples of their own objectives to the Course.
Delivery
We strive to customise each course to the group of delegates. The trainer agrees objectives with the delegates at the start of the course and asks the group for their preferred learning methods. This means trainees then have a direct influence on the learning environment. This increases their
- personal responsibility for their own development and
- their chances of completing their actions after the training course.
This ensures that training is not limited to the training room.
Each course uses customised training tools, activities and exercises. The courses are always practical, interactive and accessible.
Post Course
At the end of each course delegates will compare their before and after skills. They will be able to identify their main learning and action points.
All delegates are asked to complete a course evaluation form. This records delegates initial impression of the effectiveness of their training.
A post course follow-up evaluation is available. We can contact delegates direct to obtain their qualitative comments. This can also include a audit of their skills development.
Marlagh Training also offers a helpdesk service for some courses. This has a separate fee which is usually agreed for each piece of work.
The Trainer will also contact the client to give feedback on the events of the course. Our trainer will be happy to follow any training course with a meeting where issues have arisen.
In our experience this significantly develops learning in a practical manner that delegates find easy to implement once back in the working environment.
What our clients say
Barnardos Children First Service“Personal Development The personal development work helped staff to relate to others in a professional way using communication skills and improving their working relationships. The staff team are now aware of their own strengths and weaknesses enabling them to work together in achieving an effective working environment.”