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Description

Trainer as Coach: Questioning, Supporting and Enabling Progress

Moving from content delivery to one-to-one support without stepping outside the training remit

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

An experienced trainer knows how to deliver content. They are less equipped when a learner disengages, doubts their ability to apply what has been taught, or asks a question the programme does not answer. A supportive posture requires listening, questioning and handing the search for solutions back to the individual, without drifting into advice-giving or into a helping relationship.

These 14 hours develop the trainer-as-coach posture: contracting, interview tools, embedding support sequences within a training programme and managing difficult situations. Most of the time is devoted to interviews conducted between participants and observed by a third party.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish the trainer, mentor and coach postures and select the right one for the situation
  • Contract a support assignment with the learner and the sponsoring organisation
  • Conduct a support interview from the stated objective through to the action plan
  • Use active listening, questioning and reformulation appropriately
  • Embed one-to-one support sequences within a training programme
  • Identify the limits of your intervention and refer on to the appropriate professional

What makes this programme different

Each participant conducts several observed interviews and receives structured feedback after each round
A support interview framework is built and then tested on real situations brought by participants
Limits and professional ethics are addressed through concrete cases rather than in principle

Programme

1From Trainer Posture to Coach Posture

Changing position without changing profession

  • Differences between training, mentoring, advising and coaching
  • Framework, agreement and objectives of the support assignment
  • Low-profile positioning and letting go of providing the solution
  • Three-way relationship with the sponsor and confidentiality
  • Ethical benchmarks applicable to the practice

2Interview Tools

Listening, questioning, reformulating

  • Active listening and picking up on what is left unsaid
  • Types of questions and their effect on the learner's thinking
  • Reformulation, summarising and checking understanding
  • Framing a clear and measurable objective with the learner
  • Descriptive rather than evaluative feedback

3Embedding Support within the Training Programme

Connecting group and individual work

  • One-to-one support checkpoints built into a learning path
  • Transfer action plan developed with the learner
  • Remote follow-up interview and re-engagement
  • Involving the line manager in on-the-job transfer
  • Records of the support provided and respect for confidentiality

4Difficult Situations and Limits

Holding the framework when it wavers

  • Resistance, demotivation and enforced participation
  • Requests that fall outside the scope of training
  • Strong emotion expressed in interview and how to respond
  • Referral to another professional and how to word that handover
  • Practice review and supervision for the trainer as coach

Who is it for

Occasional or full-time trainers, consultants, workplace mentors and learning managers wishing to strengthen their one-to-one support practice.

Prerequisites

Regularly delivering training sessions or supporting learners.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.