On reading the latest issue of the Library and Information Gazette I was interested in an article written by Tim Buckley Owen, CILIP trainer on the appropriateness of public access training for all learning requirements. Public access courses can be invaluable when you need to get one or two people up to speed in a certain area and are also useful tools for networking with peers, sharing information and gaining a new perspective on a subject area.
However, we have found over the last year an increasing demand for more tailored training and have adapted our training delivery model to match this demand by offering customised onsite training courses and one to one or small group coaching sessions. Areas where we have seen this demand increase have been across research training, influencing stakeholders and train the trainer training. These are areas where individuals have had very specific objectives to fulfill, perhaps their research role is expanding into areas not previously covered or they are working on a specific project where they need to hone their communication and presentation skills further.
Our onsite delivery has seen increased demand in areas such as SharePoint and Records Management were new systems implementations and strategic changes have meant that whole teams have needed to be trained in everything through from the basics to more advanced methods and uses.
It certainly seems that in a climate where funds are scarce the demand for return on investment in training is much greater and hence the increase in demand for more tailored solutions. Here in training we are keen to adapt to what our clients needs are and would be interested to hear any comments you have.
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