Curtin Sarawak grooming staff members to be in-house trainers

Miri – 29 June 2011 – Officers and administrative assistants of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently attended a Train the Trainer Workshop organised by the university’s Human Resources Department at a leading hotel here.

The aim of the workshop was to develop and train staff members to facilitate in-house staff development programmes in line with the university’s strategic objective of cultivating a highly skilled and motivated workforce.

According to Larry Asu, human resources officer responsible for organisational and employee development and a MiniWorkshopSeries (MWS) certified trainer, such programmes add value to organisations by increasing job satisfaction, encouraging efficiencies in processes resulting in financial gain, boosting the capacity of adopting new technologies and methods, spurring innovation in strategies and products, strengthening motivation, and reducing employee turnover.

The workshop was conducted by principal trainer Anbalagan Krishnan, a senior lecturer and head of the Accounting and Business Information System Department of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Business.

Anbalagan holds a Certificate in Training from Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad, a division of the Ministry of Human Resources, and is a two-time recipient of the Curtin Student’s Choice Award.

With eight years’ experience as a trainer, he has conducted programmes for various organisations such as the Miri City Council, Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pustaka Miri, Miri Port Authority, Sarawak Shell Berhad and Asean Bintulu Fertilizer.

He is also engaged in ongoing consultancy projects, which include workshops on Strategic Negotiation (Level II) and Deal Making and Negotiation (Higher Level) for Petronas Management Training Centre (PERMATA) and Optimal Malaysia.

The workshop was co-facilitated by Human Resources Manager Maizatul Azni Abdul Mutalib and three other in-house trainers.

Besides learning from presentations on ‘Training Perspectives’, ‘The Common Mistakes of Trainers’, ‘Delivery Skills’, ‘Designing Training’ and ‘Training Preparation’, the participants learned how to incorporate games and activities into their training sessions as they are proven to be among the most efficient methods of delivering knowledge and engaging participants. In addition, they learned about accommodating different learning styles amongst participants, maintaining eye contact, and body positioning and movement.

At the close of the workshop, each participant conducted a mock training session where they were evaluated on their presentation skills.

Pleased at the enthusiasm of the participants throughout the workshop, Anbalagan remarked, “I hope this workshop has successfully imparted to the participants the essential skills and confidence they need to become better trainers, keeping in mind that different approaches and teaching methodologies are required when conducting training, particularly training for adult learners.”

In addition to the Train the Trainer Workshop, Curtin Sarawak has organised other staff development events including a ‘Team Power’ teambuilding programme for all staff members, as well as workshops on the duties and roles of administrative assistants, quality customer service, risk management, lab management, first aid, fire fighting, skills training for cleaners, policy, and occupational safety and health.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my or e-mail enquiries@curtin.edu.my.

Principal trainer Anbalagan Krishnan presenting a participant her certificate at the close of the workshop.

Participants with Anbalagan Krishnan (6th left, back row) and Maizatul Azni Abd. Mutalib (6th left, front row).