The European Pool of Trainers

A description on what the Pool of Trainers is and on what their responsibilities are.
The trainer's pool is a group of trainers, youth workers and volunteers who are working in the youth field and who have knowledge and interest in organizing international and multi-cultural activities. The trainers primarily work voluntarily and the pool is managed by the Executive Committee (ExCom) and the European Office.

The tasks (and goals) of the Pool of Trainers are: 
Organizing a seminar or a training course is a long process, which requires time, commitment, knowledge and competencies. The trainer's pool and the European Office responsibilities includes:

•  Help applying for activities - or on own initiative applying for training activities in co-ordination with ExCom
•  Running the activities with help from the European office.
•  Reporting from the training activities

Being a trainer is in principle something voluntary, depending on the division of responsibilities between the European Office and the trainer's team (the Senior trainer and Junior trainers).

Quality within the Pool of Trainers.
The quality standards for trainers which is always developing is currently as follows:

•  The trainer should commit for at least preparation and a full training, this includes reading on the topic, taking part of the preparatory meeting and prepare session plans.
•  The trainer should have carried out National Trainings
•  The trainer should have participated in International trainings
•  The trainer has the possibility to start in a junior-position, so that less experienced trainers can learn and get experience as they go along.
•  The trainers should have a recommendation from their National Committee.
•  Or if the above is not fulfilled other “similar” qualities should be explained.

Composing a trainer's team
Members of the pool of trainers receive regular information on the activities developed in ICYE. According to their competencies, preferences and availability, the members apply to be member of the pool of t rainers . The pool of trainers is in charge of developing and implementing activities such as seminars and training courses and reporting the activities. For each activity (seminar, training etc.) a trainer's team is composed, and is usually composed of 3-4 people maximum (including one person from the host country), which will divide the tasks and responsibilities between themselves.

Activities have already been planned for the coming year, but still applications are to be made and depending on the interests and resources of the Pools more activities can be applied for.

Personal Development
Members of the Pool of trainers also receive information related to external activities and training such as the training courses of the Council of Europe, training organized by the association's members and of the European Youth Forum. They also have access to information on training policies and training development, being provided with interesting Web site addresses, institutions or book names where useful information can be obtained as well as reports of training activities in order to develop their own capacities and methodologies.

New trainers will also have the opportunity to be coached by more experienced trainer(s) if needed, which also will enhance the quality of the training and lead to personal development for the individual trainer.

Being a trainer means taking an active role in the development of ICYE's activities and programs. Through new inputs, new energy and new dynamics, the quality of our projects will increase.

For any questions please don't hesitate to contact us (admin@icyeeurope.org)