A day in the life of David Guthrie, SCIP Training Co-ordinator
With over ten years experience as an IT Trainer and Training Manager in the private, public and voluntary sectors, David Guthrie is a crucial member of the SCIP team, running to a tight schedule of training and project development. To find out what’s on his agenda and pick up few of his IT tips read on.
SCIP offer in-house and bespoke courses for a variety of individuals, groups and organisations. According to David, SCIP have purposely left a prescribed generic formula of training for training that is more skills based and transferable, moulded to suit the needs of clients.
SCIP’s training culture and overall approach to designing courses for big organisations was put into practice today when David and SCIP CEO Robert Gentles joined Training Coordinator for BHT (Brighton Housing Trust) Pascale Hart to discuss delivering IT training to their staff. Pascale began by outlining her organisational needs to SCIP, stating that some staff feel out on a limb with basic Microsoft applications:
“I have a lot of staff who still keep paper diaries. Things would be simpler if everyone could make use of a calendar in Microsoft Outlook. We would then be able to programme meetings and set tasks, keeping everyone in the loop.”
Often big organisations harbour hard to shake IT habits with even the most senior members of staff reluctant to admit the extent of their IT skill base. So how do you encourage staff to come forward in a big organisation and undertake training?
David begins by setting up a space for discussion to address existing use of IT with staff.
“IT is a tool. How it works for you is what we emphasise during training. It’s not about walking away from a course at the end of the day with a textbook knowledge of a certain application or software. Successful training relies on the trainer being flexible and attentive to the needs of clients. We help clients discover a way to utilise IT that is in tune to the work they do.”
Members of staff often approach Pascale with queries relating to time management in an administrative environment. But the offer of Time Management training is quickly dismissed. Mention the dreaded T.M. and everyone’s on the next train out of town. Robert Gentles explains the image of the salesman walking around an office selling filofaxes springs to mind for most people. He points out:
“This age-old stereotype bares no relevance to IT training as long as it is engaging and relevant. We constantly strive to provide top-quality training and the proof of a good training session is when clients leave feeling empowered by IT. “
David has a packed schedule of IT courses planned for the next couple of months and places are being booked up fast. It’s an exciting time for charities, community groups and businesses. IT is developing at an unparalleled rate with the new applications quickly superseding the old. It’s important to get the groundwork in now so you and your organisation stay afloat in the digital age.
To book on to one of our courses, visit our Upcoming Courses page or to discuss designing you own course, call 01273 234049.
