I work at an organization with chapters in every state. We are attempting to set up a "Train the Trainer" program to help cut down on the travel costs. The Trainers will be responsible for doing on the job Training on a Nationwide database.

Has anyone set up a program like this before? What kind of topics should be covered in the class? And have you set up strategies for communication and keeping the Trainers up to date on new information?

Thanks!

Why not have your professional trainers train via a virtual classroom instead of trying to distribute the training duties out across the country to non-trainers?

I am currently the only Trainer on staff and cover all 53 offices. I have been traveling to each office to do the Training which is simply becoming too expensive. We are trying to set up staff members at several of the sites to do training just for their staff. We do some of the Training via virtual classroom - but some pieces of it are simply too complicated to cover in that fashion.

What I'm hoping to find are topics to cover in a Train the Trainer class, how to evaluate their performance and methods for communication.

I think you can establish a Learning Management System for the training program. With some tutorials compliant with SCORM, your can easily track the training performence of your staffs. Some course ware tool like the Repid E-Learning Suite would be helpful for your presentation and assessment.

Darcee, we are currently expanding our training department and I am currently the only one with training background. Because of this I am also creating a TTT program right now. What I have included in mine is:
- Determining Your Training Style
- Art of Teaching Adults
- Preparing and Delivering Training
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Making Training Interactive
- Handling difficulties in the classroom

Each person will also be creating a 30 minute training presentation to give back to the group for practice and feedback.

Along with this training they will also be getting some one on one time with me to work on real life training documentation that needs to be created.

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I hope it helps.