TRAINING FOR IN-COMPANY TRAINERS –
Practical Workshops for Everyone Who Supports Apprentices in the Workplace
Successful vocational education depends not only on certified trainers. In everyday working life, apprentices are often supported by supervisors, specialists, mentors and experienced colleagues in different departments.
These workplace trainers explain tasks, guide learning processes, provide feedback and help apprentices deal with new situations and increasing responsibility.
Many take on this important role without having received specific preparation for it. My workshops provide practical guidance, effective methods and greater confidence for everyone involved in supporting apprentices in the workplace.
Why Workplace Trainers Matter
Workplace trainers have a major influence on how apprentices experience vocational training. They are often the people who:
- introduce apprentices to new departments and tasks
- explain work processes and professional standards
- observe learning progress
- answer everyday questions
- give feedback and correct mistakes
- encourage independence and personal responsibility
- deal with uncertainty, misunderstandings and difficult situations
Good workplace training requires professional knowledge, but also communication skills, suitable learning methods and a clear understanding of one’s own role.
Workshops for In-Company Trainers
A practical introduction to the role of workplace trainers, relevant responsibilities, the legal foundations of German vocational training and typical situations from everyday training practice.
A practical range of methods for explaining tasks, activating apprentices, designing learning situations and supporting increasing independence.
Practical communication tools for explaining tasks, clarifying expectations, giving feedback and handling challenging conversations.
An opportunity for experienced trainers to refresh important knowledge, explore current developments and reflect on established routines.
A differentiated look at the experiences, expectations and challenges of today’s young people – without relying on simplistic generational labels.
How Does the Organisation Benefit?
Workplace trainers gain greater confidence in their role and develop practical approaches for everyday training situations.
They become better able to:
- communicate expectations clearly
- structure workplace learning effectively
- select suitable training methods
- give constructive feedback
- encourage independence
- deal with uncertainty and difficult behaviour
- coordinate more effectively with certified trainers and training departments
This supports consistent training quality and helps apprentices receive reliable guidance throughout the organisation.
What Makes These Workshops Different
The workshops are based on realistic situations from workplace training.
Legal principles, communication models and learning methods are not discussed in isolation. They are connected directly with the questions and challenges participants experience in their own departments.
The workshops combine:
- many years of experience with trainers and workplace instructors
- direct work with apprentices and young professionals
- practical examples from different industries
- current insights from learning science, psychology and communication research
- active exercises, reflection and professional exchange
The aim is not to provide rigid standard solutions. Participants develop practical approaches that fit their role, their apprentices and their organisation.
Tailored to Your Organisation
The workshops can be delivered individually or combined into a broader development programme.
Possible formats include:
- individual one-day workshops
- compact introductory formats
- modular qualification programmes
- workshop series for different departments or locations
- refresher programmes for experienced trainers
- combined programmes for certified trainers and workplace instructors
The content can be adapted to the participants’ previous experience, responsibilities and current challenges.
International Perspective
The term workplace trainer can describe different roles depending on the country, organisation and vocational education system.
The workshops are therefore also suitable for supervisors, mentors, specialists and other employees who support practical learning in the workplace.
For international programmes, the legal and organisational content can be adapted to the local system.
Principles from German vocational education can be used as a reference point for professional exchange without assuming that German structures can simply be transferred unchanged.
Possible international formats include:
- qualification programmes for workplace trainers
- train-the-trainer workshops
- development of practical learning methods
- communication and feedback training
- professional exchange between organisations
- pilot projects for workplace-based learning
Target Groups
- Current and future workplace trainers
- Certified trainers
- Supervisors and team leaders
- Mentors and experienced professionals
- Training coordinators
- Employees responsible for workplace learning
- Organisations developing or improving vocational training structures
Venue and Delivery
- At the organisation’s premises
- At a conference or training centre
- In person or online, depending on the topic and target group
- In Germany or internationally
Format
- A standard workshop usually consists of approximately eight training units and can, for example, take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including breaks.
- The ideal maximum group size is approximately 12 participants.
- The content, duration, delivery format and group size can be adapted to the organisation, target group and local context.
Interested in Training for Your In-Company Trainers?
Are you looking for a single workshop or a broader qualification programme for employees who support apprentices?
I would be pleased to discuss your objectives, target group and current challenges and develop a suitable format for your organisation.