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I receive a lot of queries on how to design Instructor Led Training (ILT)  programs. Such queries most often come from professionals who have experience designing e-learning programs. In my opinion, if you have experience in designing e-learning programs, you can use the same skills to design ILTs  too. You do not need any unique skillsets to design ILTs. All that you need is basic Instructional Design skills, some common sense and some creativity

In this post, I will explain -

• What is an Instructor Led Training program
• What matters most when you design Instructor Led Training programs
• What goes into an Instructor Led Training program toolkit
• What goes into an Instructor Led Training developer toolkit

So here we begin!

What is an ILT program?

An ILT program is a training program that happens in the presence of an instructor or trainer. The instructor may be knowledgeable and experienced in the learning material, but can also be used more for their facilitation skills and ability to deliver material to learners.

An instructor/trainer might deliver the training in a :

• Physical classroom or
• Virtual classroom

What matters most while designing ILTs

While basic Instructional Design knowledge/skills is a prerequisite, there are two important things that you should pay attention to while designing ILTs.

First  is CONTEXT. You should always keep in mind that the training will happen in a classroom setting (virtual or physical) and a live instructor will interact with the learners.

Second is TARGET AUDIENCE. As an instructional designer, you should keep in mind that you are designing training material for both the Instructor and the Learners.  With this in mind, you will be able to work in the right direction.

What goes into the ILT program toolkit

While I believe there are no hard and fast rules to designing ILT programs, there are standard materials that are part of an ILT toolkit. Let us look at some typical materials that are created for ILTs. We will use this New Employee Orientation material for illustration purpose.

An ILT program toolkit has all of the following:

A POWER POINT PRESENTATION

A power point presentation with the key learning points of the training program is designed for the trainer/instructor. The trainer/instructor speaks/interacts with the learners keeping the power point presentation in focus. The power point presentation is never self-contained or comprehensive and the trainer/instructor fills the gap.

The power point presentation typically captures the entire training flow including:

• Welcome note
• Training objectives
• Training agenda
• Key learning points in each Lesson/Topic
• Activity/assessment details
• Summary
• Next steps

Here is a sample powerpoint presentation created for an ILT program:

Click on the image to access the complete presentation

THE FACILITATOR’S GUIDE

The facilitator’s guide is designed for the trainer/instructor who delivers the training program to the learners. This guide has all the information that is essential for a trainer/instructor to effectively conduct the training program. The facilitator’s guide is designed with reference to the powerpoint presentation created for the training  program.

A facilitator’s guide typically has:

• Training overview
• Training objectives
• Training agenda
• Tips on how to prepare to deliver the training
• List of training materials to keep handy
• Briefing on training contents/activities

When you design the facilitator’s guide you need to keep in mind that you are instructing the trainer/instructor on how to conduct the training program. This includes the following from the trainer’s perspective:

• What to say
• When to say
• What to ask
• What to show
• What activities/discussions to conduct

PS: Some Instructional Designers  do train the trainer programs via web conferencing or in a physical meeting. Some others also deliver training programs themselves. In either case, the facilitator’s guide is important.

Here is a snapshot of a section  from a facilitator’s guide designed for an ILT program that describes how to start the training program:

Click on the image to access the complete document

THE PARTICIPANTS HANDBOOK

The participants handbook is used by the learners during the training program. The instructor usually circulates printed handbooks to the learners before starting the training program. Learners use the handbook for reference during the training program.

A participants handbook typically has:

• Training objectives
• Training agenda
• Dos and Donts
• Key learning points
• Instructions on how to take the activities
• Provision to jot down notes, write answers etc.

Here are some examples of participants handbook:

• Key points handout
• Activity handout
• Sample participant workbook

Things listed above are part of any ILT program. There are some things that an Instructional Designer might require while designing materials for an ILT. These materials will go into the ILT Developer Toolkit.

What goes into the ILT Developer toolkit

Your ILT toolkit can  have developer support material to help you meet standards and guidelines.

The ILT Developer toolkit may have:

• Getting started guides
• Language and style guides
• Templates for power point presentations, facilitator’s guide and participant’s handbook
• Sample ILT materials

Here is an example of an ILT Developer Toolkit.

Conclusion

With this I conclude my post here and leave it open for comments/discussion.

If you have experience designing ILTs, please try to share any of the following here:

• Tips and tricks
• Useful ILT resources
• Some examples of ILTs