ATSSA makes major updates to Corporate Training Program

Changes will strengthen skills, abilities of new trainers

ATSSA’s Corporate Training Program has always offered the benefits of developing staff who can deliver high quality training at a company’s site and on its schedule. But with recent changes to the program, the skills of the instructors will be even stronger, ATSSA Training Program Manager Jessica Scheyder said.

The Corporate Training Program, also referred to as CTP, gives companies the opportunity to have an in-house trainer who can meet ongoing needs as staffing changes or personnel switch positions. With the revised program, that person will not only develop stronger skills but also leave with greater confidence.

“We reviewed all of the steps involved in the Corporate Training Program and have revised it from the application process through completion of training,” Scheyder said. “We saw a need to give developing instructors better support and guidance and have taken steps to achieve that.

“Our aim is to see CTP students succeed, which is why we are making an even greater investment in them as they go through training.”

The program is for individuals interested in teaching ATSSA courses and operates in three categories: Corporate Training Partners, which are companies looking to train their personnel in-house; Chapter Training Partners, for ATSSA chapters interested in providing training to members and associated staff; and Training Partners, which are groups interested in providing training to their members.

People interested in becoming instructors must, at minimum: have a civil engineering degree or equivalent experience or education; a minimum of five years of experience in the intended course topic; demonstrated teaching experience; a score of 90% or greater in courses they wish to teach; and certification in the desired courses, as applicable.

The first step to enter the program is an application, followed by an interview, which is a step that was updated to make it more objective and more effectively evaluate the person’s potential as an instructor.

“There’s a big difference between knowing the content and being able to teach it,” Scheyder said.

Once in the program, prospective trainers will get increased practice and feedback to better equip them for success.

Each student will teach for 30 minutes before peers, ATSSA staff and the instructor. Each of the observers will fill out a written evaluation during the instruction, which will be provided to the student to assist him or her in advancing his abilities. In addition, a 15-minute debriefing period will follow the teaching experience to give the presenter optimum feedback on strengths and areas to develop.

“We are increasing our investment in the prospective instructors to sharpen their skills in a controlled setting so when they return to their communities, they are ready to provide effective training,” Scheyder said.

ATSSA also has reviewed and updated the instructor exam. The Association will now be reviewing exams with students so they have correct information to ensure proper content gets disseminated when they teach at their sites.

Implementation of the revised CTP isn’t the end of ATSSA’s evaluation of the course. After two quarters, the Association will evaluate whether any other additional modifications are needed.

“We know our job is not done,” Scheyder said. “The standard we set for ourselves is high because of the goal we have. The goal is to take ATSSA’s training to as many places as possible through this program so we can help save lives.”