Back in the early 1900s, organizations started to recognize the significance of training their employees to enhance productivity and efficiency. At that time, the traditional one-on-one apprenticeship model, while effective, was insufficient for meeting the growing demands of a rapidly expanding workforce.
To address this challenge, businesses began developing Train the Trainer (TTT) programs - which marked a significant departure from the conventional approach, as they focused on equipping select individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively train others. The content of such programs encompassed various crucial areas, including adult learning principles, training design and development, presentation skills, and methods for evaluating training effectiveness.
The Train the Trainer model gained popularity during the World War II era. The U.S. Department of War realized the pressing need to train a massive and entirely new workforce efficiently. Hence, they initiated the Training Within Industry (TWI) program - which introduced a standardized script and method for instructing workers on how to perform specific tasks, as well as how to teach those tasks to others. The TWI program not only met the wartime workforce demands but also left a profound mark on the history of training methodologies.
TWI's influence extended beyond the war years and American borders. Later, countries like Japan adopted this approach, which ultimately played a vital role in the development of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles. The TWI program laid the foundation for Japanese manufacturing excellence, making it a significant catalyst for the country's post-war economic resurgence.
As the decades passed, the Train the Trainer model found applications in a wide array of fields and industries - including education, health care, social work, and business sectors, among others. Typically, it involves an initial training phase led by a Master Trainer/ external consultant, where a group of employees receives instruction on a specific topic or skill. Equally important, they learn how to teach that topic or skill to others. Following the initial training phase, these employees assume the role of trainers themselves - they go on to deliver the same content to their colleagues or subordinates.