What type of training works for you?

It’s one of those things that we know will benefit us, but who has time for it?

After completing a year-long Certificate IV in Training & Assessment in 2022, and delivering loads of coaching, workshops, and seminars myself, I have been reflecting on how people learn - including myself.

For me it is often something I push aside because client commitments, other projects, and other deadlines take priority.

This made me think about which of the different types of training would suit my situation best, and I realised that I am learning every single day.

Have you ever stopped to think about the difference between formal training and qualifications vs informal knowledge sharing and skill development?

Upon reflection…

What I got out of my recent formal training, a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment

New connections and weekly contact with a cohort of like-minded people, which inspired me
A new appreciation for how others do things
Tips and tricks on how I can improve my systems and processes to improve outcomes and efficiencies
A clear appreciation of what I don’t want (an administration- and compliance-heavy training process)
A formal qualification (and certificate) that provides credibility and helps give prospective clients confidence in my ability

Other ways I gain knowledge and skills everyday

Attending industry conferences such as Australian Festival Industry Conference and Australian Regional Tourism Conference where I learn from industry experts.
Talking with event organisers and other event experts from around the world, such as Glenn Hardy from event attendee research organisation IER, Meegan Jones from the Institute for Sustainable Events, Greg Donovan from Birdsville Big Red Bash, Vicky Lowry from the Deni Ute Muster, and so on
Speaking with colleagues, clients, and industry peers
Social media, such as the peer group Regional Events Hub on Facebook with I run (there are quite a lot of event organiser groups on Facebook, though this is the only one I know of for regional event committees)
During consultation sessions for the consultancy projects we do for event organisers and Council event officers
In my mentoring sessions with mentees – these sessions inspire and educate me as much as they do my mentees. Often if I don’t have a solution, I will spend time researching, which teaches me along the way. For example, what event management software do event organisers find easy to use?
My husband and my kids – it’s usually not event-related learnings, but they teach me how to be a good human and stay down to earth

This type of reflection and the everyday learnings that I capture along the way help me fine tune the event management training programs we deliver through rEVENTS Academy.

We regularly enhance our programs and offer different delivery models to ensure they are suited to a wide variety of learning styles.

For example, now we offer cohort-based learning, such as in our upcoming 7-week intensive (starting in July), and an online self-paced course that people can do any time, in their own time, as well as blog articles with helpful tips, such as our favourite on increasing your event’s economic impact (which we learned about from Glenn from IER at a conference).