Trainer Onboarding
Welcome to 4 Minutes Training. Here is the core information that you need to know as a first time Trainer with us. If you need to know more, firstly explore Trainer Central (TC). If that doesn’t answer your question then please contact Andy directly.
You are a Freelancer for 4 Minutes for the duration of any course that you deliver. You are responsible for invoicing us and also managing your own tax affairs. All training equipment is to be provided by you, apart from manuals, which we will provide & paperwork (where needed) which you will download and print. We include a payment within your fee to cover the cost of doing this. Do read the Contract on Trainer Central as it is valid for all courses that you run for us.
Delivering a Course – common sense rules
- As long as you deliver a comprehensive course that assesses all the Learning Outcomes for all the Learners we are not prescriptive about how it is delivered.
- Powerpoints: Some trainers use Powerpoints, some none. We can provide you with a 4 Minutes Branded set for all courses (just ask). If you are delivering a ProTrainings course, download their Powerpoint from their Dashboard and use that. If you use your own, please make sure they are unbranded.
- Avoid Death by Powerpoint. Use slides to make a visual point, or show an image / play a video. Not. For. Every. Single. Topic – and definitely do not just stand there reading the Powerpoint.
- First Aid is a practical subject. The learners should be doing at least one activity per hour. Don’t just teach, let them have a go and assess them. You are a Trainer and Assessor!
- Remember “I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand“
- Following on from the above, 4 Minutes Assessment sheets tell you what you should be Assessing for on the rear. You are signing them off as ‘competent’ and the only way that you will know that, is to assess each learner on each Learning Outcome, whether it is by demonstration or verbal confirmation of Understanding.
- Read the room. Not too many ‘war stories’ and don’t go into excessive detail. Teach to the level of the class. Do they really need that detail? You have one mouth and two ears for a reason!
- Remember – it’s good to talk. Any questions or issues or suggestions please get in touch with Andy. We all benefit from a great ongoing working relationship.
Admin – common sense rules
- Turn up in plenty of time to do a venue RA and set up before the class arrives. Ask Andy if you need a Risk Assessment ProForma. Find out Fire exits, any fire tests, nearest toilets, First Aid kit and Defib.
- Complete a Health & Safety Briefing – toilets, Fire Escapes, break times, smoking rules and also mention that 4 Minutes’ Complaints Procedure can be found on its Website. Hopefully it won’t ever come to that, but let them know.
- We minimise paperwork as much as possible. We expect you to print out what you need (included in your fee). We or ProTrainings can provide you with PDF masters as appropriate, but also a lot can be run without any, or minimal paperwork. Look in TC as to what you should have with you as a reserve. Hang on to unused manuals until next time to minimise Postage costs.
- You are representing 4 Minutes, so please be smart, hygienic & courteous. If you smoke, try to keep it to a minimum as the smell does linger and people do notice. Document any learner issues and refer to us as appropriate. You can download Reasonable Adjustment / Special Consideration and Discussion sheets from TC.
- We will IQA you from time to time. If you need a copy for your records, or would like us to complete a different one for you, just ask. Visits may or may not be announced.
We don’t micromanage. Deliver a good course, manage the paperwork appropriately (upload / scan to PDF and return to 4 Minutes). We will IQA it and pay you promptly if all is in order. We try and give you first refusal for future work with that Client next time round if all went well, too.
If you have a problem, such as a broken down car, injury, double Booking, let Andy know as soon as you can. Even better, come to Andy with a solution, not just the Problem. “I can’t make the course, but I’ve contacted this other trainer and they can make the date” rather than “I can’t make that date, now”. Vehicle broken down? Considering hiring one. If I was a Freelancer I’d rather hire a vehicle and lose money on the Booking than let someone down. As with a lot of service industry work, you are only as good as your last Booking.