Instructor-Led Training Program Management
Work Experience: Training Program Management
Client: EF Education First, Ningbo, China
Dates: May 2017 to March 2023
Overview
As Regional Production Manager for EF Education First, I led the development, management, and execution of core training programs for a team of over 150 staff. I facilitated 300+ instructor-led training sessions, led a team of trainers across eight locations, and created training materials for 40 unique sessions. I gained deep experience in a number of areas:
Onboarding
Leadership Development
Product Training
Soft Skills Training
Software Training
Compliance Training
Quality Assurance
Note: The proprietary nature of these programs limits my ability to share materials. I've included some case studies below, but if you'd like to learn more, please get in touch.
Onboarding
In 2018, I led an initiative to centralize and overhaul teacher onboarding for our region. One aim was to leverage the expertise of central trainers and free up school administrators to focus on operations. Another aim was to ensure standard quality, as the previous program had yielded uneven results. We knew it was critical to properly prepare our new teachers for the classroom, especially since many of them came to us early in their careers.
To prepare, I conducted dozens of class observations across the region, interviewed stakeholders, and analyzed teacher and student performance data. I then led a team to create the content, bringing together expertise from across the region. I designed three core sessions myself and created an observation tool to assess overall training results.
The resulting program was intensely practical. Each session engaged teachers in planning, practicing, and executing specific techniques. Time was also allotted for on-the-job tasks, eLearning, and observations of experienced staff. All participants delivered mock lessons and received individualized action plans before proceeding to orientation at their respective schools. Once there, they integrated the skills covered in onboarding and were assessed by local administrators.
The program impacted over 240 teachers over a period in which headcount increased 47%. Throughout that time, I led monthly sessions, developed trainers, and regularly evaluated and refined the program. Across the region, teaching quality showed significant improvement, with performance metrics far surpassing national benchmarks.
Leadership Development
During my time at EF, I was the principal owner of two leadership development programs for team leads and academic managers. My role included creating content -- including instructor-led sessions, job aids, and on-the-job learning tasks -- and overseeing a team that contributed to design and implementation. Beyond that, I integrated the programs into role-specific learning paths, linking professional development milestones to promotions and compensation.
These programs produced a surplus of certified managers, supporting our expansion to eight locations. Even during regulatory and Covid-related disruption, all locations were fully staffed with managers and team leads. eNPS results also indicated that participants cited these programs as a main reason for continuing to work at our organization.
The success of these programs was recognized nationally in our organization. I delivered presentations on our approach twice at our national conference, first in a breakout session, and then to an audience of 200+ academic managers. More importantly, the new leaders trained in these programs helped build a robust support system for teachers, for which we received several internal company awards.
Other Training Initiatives
From 2017 to 2023, I designed and facilitated dozens of training sessions on topics crucial to school and business operations. Here are some examples:
During the abrupt transition to remote work, I led regular training for academic leaders and teachers on skills essential for online teaching. These sessions were crucial in equipping teachers with technical skills and helping them adapt materials to the online environment, ensuring high student participation and engagement. Student performance in our region remained strong, with no sustained drop in learning outcomes. Additionally, 82% of teachers reported satisfaction with the training and support they received during this period, 17% above the national average.
After the launch of a new eLearning app for our students, I ran a cross-functional training initiative to boost usage. Leveraging insights on user data, I developed training for managers, teachers, and parents to enhance familiarity with the features and benefits of the app. Over three months, the initiative expanded the app's user base by 7.5% and elevated overall app usage by 14.8%.
In 2023, I led a team of curriculum experts, translators, and a designer to modify 1264 pages of student learning materials to comply with sweeping new government regulations. Despite intense pressure, we finished on time, under budget, and passed government inspection. I then led the launch of these materials in instructor-led training sessions for managers across our region.
More Information and Samples
As mentioned above, the proprietary nature of these programs limits my ability to share materials, but I'd be glad to discuss my work in detail, so please get in touch or view further examples in the eLearning section of my portfolio.