IMODE will develop tools for the optimization and elaboration of consulting tools that can help SME and low-tech sector companies design human resources development programs. At the same time, past experience with relevant consulting models in the following domains will be analyzed, elaborated and transferred: training needs analysis; arguments for persuading company managers of the importance of developing training strategies; quality assurance for training programs; troubleshooting training planning processes; the economic viability of training programs; organizational structures for training programs; and training program evaluation.
Project results will be elaborated in the form of guidelines that will be immediately applicable to consultants’ everyday work. The guidelines will also include case studies that clearly describe specific scenarios, processes and tools whose application will be practiced and discussed in workshops for the consultants. Wherever possible, workshop participants will be individuals that have the wherewithal to disseminate the knowledge and abilities they have gained within their own organizations as well as to internal and external networks, with a view to promoting more widespread elaboration of optimized training consulting strategies and solutions. This know-how transfer process will be facilitated by a website whose discussion forums and document interchanges will catalyze and structure a cross-disciplinary and inter-organizational dialogue on the relevant topic areas. The website will also make interim project results available at an early stage to training professionals and the relevant decision makers. The results of these various activities will then be discussed at a symposium. The results will also be publicized with a view to bringing about more widespread use of training consulting strategies, which in turn will foster the intended snowball effect. The experiences and findings resulting from the project will then be published.
The training consultant’s role is to increase company managers’ awareness of the importance of skills training, and to help these managers develop implementation strategies for such programs. The experience gained from these consulting activities also enables consultants to make their product portfolios more needs oriented. Hence, IMODE’s main objectives are to increase SME and low-tech company managers’ awareness of the importance of training and employee development, to leverage and optimize training consultants’ capabilities, and to encourage training providers to offer services that are geared toward acquisition of the skills and qualifications that companies actually need. The project will support the efforts of training consultants by providing them with training courses and practical advice, mainly on the basis of Leitfäden für Qualifzierungsberater (“Guidelines for training consultants”), which will supply consultants with advice that is immediately applicable to their everyday work. These guidelines will also give training consultants insight into the specific training needs of low-tech and SME sector companies and will serve as a consulting content development tool. The elaboration and deployment of these guidelines will be promoted and optimized by workshops and a website.
Nadine WackerPhone: +49 911 27779-379wacker.nadine(at)f-bb.de