Trainer of Trainers (ToT): What It Is and How It’s Different from a 'Regular' Training

A ToT program is like being the coach of coaches. Instead of teaching people how to perform a skill or use specific knowledge, your job is to prepare them to train others. You’re creating a ripple effect: what you teach will be multiplied as your trainees pass it on.

Think of it as building a toolkit for leaders who will go on to lead their own groups. It’s not just about “what to do” but also about “how to teach it.”

How Does It Differ From a Regular Training?

1. Focus on Teaching Skills, Not Just Content

In a regular training, you’re like a chef demonstrating how to chop, stir, and season. In a ToT, you’re also showing why you chop that way, how to explain it, and what to do if someone doesn’t have the right knife.

For example, if you’re training someone on how to conduct focus group discussions (FGDs), in a regular training, you’d cover things like framing questions and managing group dynamics. In a ToT, you’d go deeper, teaching them how to explain FGD methods to someone else, troubleshoot common issues, and adapt for different audiences.

2. Prioritise Facilitation Skills

A ToT emphasises soft skills like communication, active listening, and dealing with difficult participants. Trainers need to lead with empathy and adapt their teaching to different learning styles.

3. Multiply the Impact

A regular training is like delivering one great performance.

A ToT is more like being the director of a play: you prepare the actors, guide them behind the scenes, and ensure they’re ready to step into the spotlight on their own.

Tip - During ToT sessions, include role-playing activities where participants practice leading mini-training sessions. Provide feedback not just on what they teach but how they teach it.

Tips for a Successful ToT

1. Start With the End in Mind

Ask yourself: What should participants be able to teach others by the end of this training? Design your sessions with that goal in mind.

2. Model the Behavior You Want to See

Your trainees will learn not just from your content but from how you deliver it. Be the gold standard for the facilitation techniques you’re teaching.

3. Use Real-World Scenarios

Make it practical. Provide case studies or real-life examples that participants are likely to encounter. This not only boosts their confidence but also makes the content stick.

4. Feedback is King (or Queen!)

Create opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback. It’s invaluable for trainers to hear how their teaching comes across. Use structured tools like a feedback sandwich: one positive, one area for improvement, and end on a positive note.

Why ToTs Matter

ToTs are the backbone of sustainable capacity-building efforts. Instead of relying on a single trainer to reach everyone, a ToT approach empowers more people to spread knowledge and skills. It’s like planting seeds in a garden: you nurture a few, and they grow to produce fruit that feeds many.

Curious to learn more? Join the workshop on facilitation https://ticketbud.com/events/15367986-a4e7-11ef-8928-42010a71703b