How to Become an Outbound OBT Trainer
Ultimate Guide on How to Become an Outbound OBT Trainer.
Outbound Training or Outbound Learning is a sought after experiential methodology for training, education and development for corproates and institues alike.
Many trainers who are looking to start their journey in outbound training or OBT Training are often confused as to where to begin and how to go about becoming a successful and effective outbound trainer.
Outbound Training by its very nature requires variety of skills that are acquired more from practice than by studying content or concepts. Its similar to learning swiming where one has to get into the pool. Content and concepts can help with abstract understanding but no amount of abstract learning can teach outbound training skills except the practice of it.
Many trainers who are looking to start their journey in outbound training or OBT Training are often confused as to where to begin and how to go about becoming a successful and effective outbound trainer.
Outbound Training by its very nature requires variety of skills that are acquired more from practice than by studying content or concepts. Its similar to learning swiming where one has to get into the pool. Content and concepts can help with abstract understanding but no amount of abstract learning can teach outbound training skills except the practice of it.
The following are some guidelines and recommendations for becoming an outbound trainer.
1) Passion
Those who aspire to be trainers in the field of outbound experiential learning, whether it is outbound training, team building, behavioral skills training, should have a natural passion for serving and educating people. They should have a vision of supporting people to leverage their innate human potential and help them grow as a person/professional with the required knowledge skills and attitude.
2) Developing Knowledge
They should develop required knowledge and skills in the areas of Training and Facilitation, Training Needs Identification, Instructional Design, Processing / Debrief Skills, Feedback and Training evaluation.
They should develop practical aspects of outbound facilitation skills that include delivering training that are based on Adult learning principles, Experiential Learning Principles. Practical Knowledge of various Learning Orientations, Learning Experience Delivery, and Immersive group engagement is a much-needed skill for outbound trainers.
3) Outbound Training Skills and Practice
These skills are important part of becoming an outbound trainer and includes
3) Love for Outdoors, Adventure and Nature
A lot that happens in outbound happens in the magic of nature. A love and relationship with nature helps one to personally connect and use nature as part of the learing with metaphors and analogies. Having a understanding of the way nature works, knowledge of trees, rocks, birds etc helps to connect participants with the appreciation and beauty of the sorrundings
4) Training Modalities
Getting trained in others training modalities can add more effectiveness. Modalities that go along with Outbound Training are
4) Good Health, Phhysical, Emotional and Mental Fitness:
Outbound Trainers needs to have good health and fitness as the work requires standing for long hours. An ability to emotionally connecct with participants and demostrate resilience during conflicts and challening activities. Its the composure of the trainer that will influence and motivate the participants to trust and engage with the learnign and challenges of outbound training.
5) Apprenticeship and Mentoring
Apprenticeship and Mentoring is an essential part of outbound training. its important to find a competent mentor who can guide you and include you in the practical aspects of running an outbound training session.
Becoming a outbound trainer is a continuous journey of learning and practice. An essential part of this journey is experiencing the training as a participant, observer, and facilitator, so that one can observe, feel, and relate to different roles and have a firsthand understanding of the entire outbound training cycle and process.
6) Fraternity and Team
It takes time to master and learn all the outbound training skills and its a great idea to be part of a fraternity of outbound trainers and expereintial educators. This helps you in 1-1 learning from other trainers and also co-facilitating programs together based on your expertise.
A lot of times you will have to take help of experts for various activities that may include adventure, outdoors etc. its good to build relations and include other trainers and support staff in your programs. This helps in not only dividing the tasks but conserve your energy and focus on learning.
Learn more on how to plan an outbound training for your company
1) Passion
Those who aspire to be trainers in the field of outbound experiential learning, whether it is outbound training, team building, behavioral skills training, should have a natural passion for serving and educating people. They should have a vision of supporting people to leverage their innate human potential and help them grow as a person/professional with the required knowledge skills and attitude.
2) Developing Knowledge
They should develop required knowledge and skills in the areas of Training and Facilitation, Training Needs Identification, Instructional Design, Processing / Debrief Skills, Feedback and Training evaluation.
They should develop practical aspects of outbound facilitation skills that include delivering training that are based on Adult learning principles, Experiential Learning Principles. Practical Knowledge of various Learning Orientations, Learning Experience Delivery, and Immersive group engagement is a much-needed skill for outbound trainers.
3) Outbound Training Skills and Practice
These skills are important part of becoming an outbound trainer and includes
- Outdoor Leadership Skills
- Safety and Wilderness First Aid Training
- Trekking, Outdoor and Adventure Skills
- Expereince leading and working with Groups in the Outdoors
- Experiential learning Mastery
- Adult Learning Theory
- Facilitation Skills to run, brief and debrief Outbound Activities
- Understanding of Different Behavioral Skills and competencies
- Concepts and Models of Training like Johari window, Learning combination Lock,
- Debrief and Processing Skills
- Strong Leadership Skills
- Persona that reflects Expertise, Confidence and Competence
3) Love for Outdoors, Adventure and Nature
A lot that happens in outbound happens in the magic of nature. A love and relationship with nature helps one to personally connect and use nature as part of the learing with metaphors and analogies. Having a understanding of the way nature works, knowledge of trees, rocks, birds etc helps to connect participants with the appreciation and beauty of the sorrundings
4) Training Modalities
Getting trained in others training modalities can add more effectiveness. Modalities that go along with Outbound Training are
- Experiential Education
- Adventure Programming
- Cooperative Play Activities
- Team Building Facilitation
- Neuro-Linguistic Programing,
- Behavioral Psychology,
- Group Process work,
- Non-Violent Communication,
- Psychometric Assessments,
- Transaction Analysis,
- Storytelling,
- Team Coaching will be an advantage.
4) Good Health, Phhysical, Emotional and Mental Fitness:
Outbound Trainers needs to have good health and fitness as the work requires standing for long hours. An ability to emotionally connecct with participants and demostrate resilience during conflicts and challening activities. Its the composure of the trainer that will influence and motivate the participants to trust and engage with the learnign and challenges of outbound training.
5) Apprenticeship and Mentoring
Apprenticeship and Mentoring is an essential part of outbound training. its important to find a competent mentor who can guide you and include you in the practical aspects of running an outbound training session.
Becoming a outbound trainer is a continuous journey of learning and practice. An essential part of this journey is experiencing the training as a participant, observer, and facilitator, so that one can observe, feel, and relate to different roles and have a firsthand understanding of the entire outbound training cycle and process.
6) Fraternity and Team
It takes time to master and learn all the outbound training skills and its a great idea to be part of a fraternity of outbound trainers and expereintial educators. This helps you in 1-1 learning from other trainers and also co-facilitating programs together based on your expertise.
A lot of times you will have to take help of experts for various activities that may include adventure, outdoors etc. its good to build relations and include other trainers and support staff in your programs. This helps in not only dividing the tasks but conserve your energy and focus on learning.
Learn more on how to plan an outbound training for your company
Mastering Outbound Training
Some of the training sessions that are based on outbound training include recreational outbounds, educational outbounds, team building interventions, behavioral skills training, and outdoor management development.
Trainers planning to conduct outbound training that is based on experiential learning have to develop a thorough understanding of the entire outbound training life cycle, including training needs analysis, program design, Program delivery, Feedback, and evaluation.
The trainers have to be well versed in Experiential learning theory, Adult Learning Theory, outbound training principles, and team building methodologies. Practices and activities that include outdoor, adventure, group development, and team building activities that help create an immersive and impactful learning experience.
The trainers must develop facilitation skills in areas of creating safe space, group engagement, belonging and inclusion, processing and debriefing, creative learning techniques, action planning, and transference of learning to the workplace.
For trainers who want to deliver adventure, outdoor, outbound training will need to take certifications in adventure and outdoor technical skills, Wilderness First aid. If this cannot be done, then hire or partner with a qualified outdoor/adventure instructor.
The trainers also need to equip themselves with using a variety of training resources that can include workbooks, handouts, videos, and a plethora of training activities..
Trainers planning to conduct outbound training that is based on experiential learning have to develop a thorough understanding of the entire outbound training life cycle, including training needs analysis, program design, Program delivery, Feedback, and evaluation.
The trainers have to be well versed in Experiential learning theory, Adult Learning Theory, outbound training principles, and team building methodologies. Practices and activities that include outdoor, adventure, group development, and team building activities that help create an immersive and impactful learning experience.
The trainers must develop facilitation skills in areas of creating safe space, group engagement, belonging and inclusion, processing and debriefing, creative learning techniques, action planning, and transference of learning to the workplace.
For trainers who want to deliver adventure, outdoor, outbound training will need to take certifications in adventure and outdoor technical skills, Wilderness First aid. If this cannot be done, then hire or partner with a qualified outdoor/adventure instructor.
The trainers also need to equip themselves with using a variety of training resources that can include workbooks, handouts, videos, and a plethora of training activities..
Certification in Outbound Training
Any certification ensures that the participants has the knowledge and skills to deliver the training. While Outbound Training is best learnt through practice and mentoring . Certification ensures that participants are familiar with analysis, design and delivery of Outbound Training Programs.
Outlife offers the following certification programs for trainers and faciltiators to development capability and competence in outbound training
Certified Outbound Trainer
Certified Outdoor Leader
Outlife offers the following certification programs for trainers and faciltiators to development capability and competence in outbound training
Certified Outbound Trainer
Certified Outdoor Leader
