Investigation of Trainers Programme in Experimental Learning for the Development of Emotional Intelligence

The overall aim of the training is to up-skill those who train teachers and workers in and out of school settings to be more effective in the process of facilitating the experiential learning methodology for healthy living. Fourteen participants completed the trainers programme representing the HSE, Health Promotion (n=10), The National Youth Health Project (n=1), The Crisis Pregnancy Programme (N=1), GAA Health and Wellbeing (n=1), and The Irish Cancer Society (n=1). Participants outside the HSE were based in Dublin and trainers within the HSE were from different geographical regions (Mid-Leinster [n=2], South-East [n=3], West [n=5]) resulting in a national spread giving optimum opportunity for dissemination. At the end of the 8th day participants were given a questionnaire to complete seeking feedback on their experience of the training to date.

Strengths of the training: Trainers were asked what the strengths of the training programme were. Five main themes emerged. The first theme was how the environment was created during the training seemed to be a very important element for participants. The remaining themes interlink with environment and these were Group Work, Personal Development, Facilitators and Methods Used. Terms such as safe, honesty, pace, integrity, trust, encouraging and support emerged throughout the comments about the strengths of the course.See P6-8 for more details/quotes about the strengths of the training.

Weaknesses of the training: Three trainers reported that they couldn’t think of any weaknesses and one person said: “As there is a follow up 2 day session and the possibility of ongoing support/interaction with the group I can’t see any weaknesses”. Two themes emerged from the remaining 9 trainers: firstly, the use of visiting facilitators for specific pieces of work interrupting the flow of the work and secondly, the lack of opportunity for trainers to practice co-facilitation.

Delivering Training: All trainers (n=14) reported that the training gave the opportunity for upskilling in the field of facilitating experiential learning. One trainer stated:“I feel better able to do my job after this training”.Participants were asked to record their readiness to deliver the training where 1=not at all ready and 10 = absolutely ready. Two recorded a score of 4, one recorded 5.5 and the remainder (n=11) gave themselves a score of 6 or higher. Trainers reported that they would use this training in their work with the following target groups:Teachers (n=11), Youthwork/Out of School Settings (n=11), Health Professionals (n=6), Community (n=3). When asked the timeframe they envisage themselves delivering this training, four stated 'Summer 2014', three stated 'Autumn 2014', four stated '2015'. The remaining three stated that they ‘didn’t know’ or they would once they are“ ready and confident to deliver it” or that they “would need to plan for this for 2015....secure the time necessary, but would like to commence training delivery in 2014.

”Work Practice All Trainers' (n=14) reported how this training will be integrated into their work practice. For example, one trainer said “I will use this methodology to underpin and support current training/initiatives that I am involved in”. Another trainer said “This training will support me hugely with my one-to-one and groupwork with smokers. It will help me facilitate on all my trainings and support me to ‘hear’ and listen to others at meetings for work” or “I will be training a variety of people from across the social spectrum and will use the methodologies to enhance their learning to empower them in their role”.