QUESTION:
How do I tell if a training workshop is any good?
I know I need a tune-up of skills for facilitation, but I hate to spend money if it’s not really going to meet my needs.

Vicki Luther
Co-Director
Make sure the training includes some practice sessions for new skills. You don’t want just lecture, presentations and workbooks. If you actually practice some new technique, you’ll be much more likely to use it back home.

Milan Wall
Co-Director
Ask if there’s opportunity for private consultation during the training. That way you can schedule an hour with a trainer and make sure you get your special questions answered.

Reggi Carlson
Development Specialist
One way to make sure you’ll really get what you read about in the brochure is to ask for a reference and talk to a recent participant. That way you can get some information on atmosphere, how the group really operates, and how flexible the trainers are.

Scott Biehle
Research Associate
If there are any case study activities included in the workshop, ask if you can bring a case study from your own situation, rather than use a “canned” version for practice. You can also invite other participants to exchange information ahead of time to learn about their work challenges and then set up some discussion around common themes.

Mary Emory
Program Associate
I like to ask if there’s a daily evaluation. If so, the chances are greater that the trainers will be responsive to requests from the participants. If there’s only a last day evaluation, you might ask to see some results from previous training eventse.