Violence Awareness and Action Training Train the Trainer Two-Day Workshop
Prerequisite one-day Violence Awareness and Action Training (VAAT)
The Violence Prevention Initiative with its various government departments and agencies supports an interdisciplinary approach for violence awareness and prevention. The one-day Violence Awareness and Action Training (VAAT) workshop is aimed at improving services for victims of violence by increasing sensitivity and awareness of service providers to the factors contributing to violence and its impact on society.
The Train-the-Trainer workshop provides the skills needed to co-facilitate a VAAT session. VAAT is designed to be co-facilitated by individuals from any of the VPI partners and stakeholders. The Train-the-Trainer workshop supports individuals who wish to become VAAT facilitators by offering training on adult learning principles, facilitation skills, and the material to be used in a VAAT session.
A participant for this training must demonstrate knowledge of the area of violence and violence prevention and recognize that violence is complex social problem, deeply rooted in society’s traditional acceptance of inequality and power imbalance. They should have some experience facilitating groups or conducting training activities or presentations. Good interpersonal skills, such as listening and sensitivity, plus a willingness to be a leader in their department or agency, are an asset. It is expected facilitators would offer two sessions each year, requiring 1 ½ days away from their workplace for each session for at least two years.
The two-day Train the Trainer workshop will:
- Familiarize trainees, through group discussion and analysis, with the Violence Awareness Training Leaders Guide resources and material;
- Practice delivery of Violence Awareness material and resources;
- Review adult learning principles and facilitation skills;
- Prepare trainers for future in-service delivery of violence awareness material; and
- Promote an inter-departmental, inter-agency approach to government and community violence prevention services.
Criteria for facilitators
Knowledge of topic
- Demonstrates knowledge of the area of “violence” and violence prevention;
- Supports the content and messages promoted in the workshop;
- Establishes and builds working relationships with community agencies and institutions;
- Demonstrates an understanding of gender equality and the importance of using a gender inclusive lens in any approach to anti-violence work; and
- Demonstrates an analysis and acceptance of the VPI stated value that violence is a crime and complex social issue, deeply rooted in society’s traditional acceptance of inequality.
Facilitation/training skills
- Experience facilitating groups or conducting training activities or presentations or some training knowledge/experience;
- Understanding of or desire to learn about adult education;
- Knowledge of group process: how groups develop, what dynamics may evolve, and strategies for coping with group conflict;
- Self awareness regarding dominant learning style, communication style and ability to change style to fit needs of group;
- Ability to enhance participants’ learning through integration of work, family and community-related activities; and
- Can create a physical and interpersonal climate that is conducive to learning.
Interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication skills;
- Ability to present clearly in front of groups;
- Good listening skills; and
- Sensitivity to participants.
Leadership
- Feel comfortable providing leadership to department/agency/group;
- A clear understanding of the values basic to the program; and
- Encourages collaborative learning and respect among learners through sharing ideas, asking questions, responding to others’ comments.
Other selection criteria
- Selected by a supportive organization/department/agency where these skills can be developed and participation in training is valued as positive career advancement; and
- Both female and male participants requested.
Commitment
- Interest in and commitment to violence prevention; and
- Willingness, with department/agency/group support, to commit time and energy to follow up.
For more information on the training, please contact Sharon Whalen, Provincial Training Coordinator, (709) 729-2119 or sharonewhalen@gov.nl.ca.