SWISSPORT DOESN'T GAMBLE WITH TRAINING…
(article from Swissport's corporate magazine, Swiss Infoport)

In October 2002, the Swissport Home Office Training Department conducted a "first" for the Station Trainers across the country, a "Train the Trainer" workshop. Held in Las Vegas, the three day program, developed by Langevin Learning Services, was designed to help those individuals responsible for training become more confident with their role and sharpen their existing skills while learning new ones. Thirty Swissport trainers participated in the program, best described as informative, entertaining and requiring lots of hands-on participation from the attendees.

Considering the emphasis that training receives, both within Swissport and from our customer's perspective, the Company felt it would be beneficial to focus on the mechanics of the training process and provide the trainers with some additional tools and techniques. Too often, when we evaluate the training effort, the focus is exclusively on material and content. Did we include all the vital information? Did we cover the customer's key points? Without question that's important, but it's not only part of the training process. The Train the Trainer workshop made it clear to all participants that it's not just "what you say" but "how you say it" when it comes to determining the success of your training.

The training in Las Vegas certainly could not be characterized as sit and listen. Each day was filled with a variety of information sessions, individual and group exercises, role playing, and practice presentations. Joel Gueck, the high-energy course leader, kept the group interested and on-track, and he wasn't reluctant to use a bit of magic to occasionally make a point. With some "evening growth opportunities" (read that homework) each night, the group did not find much time for rest and relaxation in Las Vegas.

The culmination of the program was the videotaping of each participant delivering a topic, which they had prepared, in front of their team members. Each presentation was developed using techniques discussed during the first two days of class. The team critiqued each presenter following their "performance". Every attendee took their video home to make sure that the "still" pictures didn't make it into infoport, but maybe you can persuade your trainer to let you take a peek. From our observation, there are some very interesting videotapes out there.

Following the Workshop, to take advantage of having all the trainers in one place, Jim Braymen, SP Director of Training, used the remaining hours to roll out the new SP Workers' Compensation Program, "Swissport Cares". This was time well spent to provide an overview of the program and explain the importance of closely monitoring Workers' Compensation cases at each Station. Also, the trainers play a key role in the program since one of their jobs is to train SP employees so they will know what is expected under the new policies and procedures.

All in all, it was a productive three days which not only helped our trainers sharpen their skills but gave them some insights into the dynamic world of training.

This article was printed in Swissport's corporate magazine, Swiss Infoport
(Issue 11, Feb. 2003, pg 5). Reprinted with permission.