Training

The importance of training | Benefits | Key topics | Levels of training | Effective training | Flexible training | Maximising impacts | Educational tools | Training adults | Training resources | Training opportunities  

The importance of training

Training helps ensure that monitoring group members have the appropriate skill levels to undertake project planning, data collection, analysis and management. This will mean that the data collected is of a quality to suit the group’s objectives, and those using the data can do so with confidence.

Good training should equip group members with skills to produce reliable, credible data and an understanding of why it is being collected and what it means.

More detailed information on training is available from Chapter 9: Training of the Queensland community waterway monitoring manual.

Benefits

• Increased confidence by participants
• Personal motivation from increased opportunities
• Important social networking event
• Improves personal safety in the field and minimises possible accidents and mistakes

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Key topics

The key areas where training is required will depend on the existing skills and experiences of group members. It will also depend on what their roles, responsibilities and functions within the group. If you haven’t already done so, do a ‘skills audit’ by finding out what skills members already have, and what skills are needed. This will give you a rough plan on what key areas training is needed in.

The skills needed will depend in part on what is being monitored and what the data will be used for. Some training will be mandatory for all members (for example, health and safety training).

Some useful documents providing information on what training is needed to undertake monitoring projects are available including:

1. Queensland community waterway monitoring manual (2007)  
2. Health and safety guidelines for community-based waterway monitoring (2006)
3. Waterwatch Australia National Technical Manual – Technical module 3: biological monitoring (2004) 
4. Waterwatch Australia National Technical Manual – Technical module 4: physical and chemical indicators (2002)      

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Levels of training

Training can range from informal on-the-job training through to formally accredited courses (for example, First Aid Certification or modules from Certificate II/III in Conservation and Land Management). Information on formal training through accredited training organisations is available from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website - www.dest.gov.au.

Effective training

Planning, developing and delivering training sessions involves seven steps:

1. Understand the learners
2. Define what and how you want to teach
3. Prepare for the training session
4. Conduct the training session
5. Evaluate the training session
6. Follow up to maintain motivation
7. Maintain a training log book

Flexible training

It is important to be flexible in how, where and when training is delivered. 

People learn in different ways, including through listening, watching and reading. Most people learn best when training provides them with practical hands on experiences. It is also important to provide opportunities for people to ask questions, share stories, discuss elements of training. These all help in the learning process. 

Maximising training impacts

• Participants must be motivated to participate and learn, and see the relevance of the training to them.
• The various learning styles are catered for.
• Participants get to build on existing knowledge and experience.
• Recognise participants’ achievements in learning, and reward them.
• Two-way communication encouraged.
• Positive, relaxed and supportive learning environment created.

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Educational tools

Various activities, communication methods and modes, resources and types of information are all tools to help your training cater to participants’ needs and preferences. 

Simple tools include:

1. music
2. variety
3. change of surroundings
4. fun
5. displays
6. group work
7. timekeeping

More information is available from Chapter 9: Training of the Queensland community waterway monitoring manual.

Training adults

Adult learning requirements are different to those of children. For more information see Adult learning.

Training resources

The internet is an excellent source of background information and theories, tools, and accredited training courses. For more information see Training resources.   

Training opportunities

• University of Canberra provides accredited online training courses with a practical component in AUSRIVAS methodology for biological (macro-invertebrate) monitoring. This methodology is used by all government agencies undertaking biological monitoring across Australia -http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au
• Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) delivers both accredited and non accredited training to both individuals and organisations -www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/assisting-projects/TrainingCalendar.htm
• Landcare Queensland is active in training community landcare groups throughout the state -www.landcare.org.au

 

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Last updated 21 February 2008