WINS and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) jointly conducted a national Train the Trainer course from 27 to 31 August 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Training
The event, which was moderated by WINS Project Manager Alvaro Acevedo, featured two instructors (Clare Bradley and Simon Rogers) from Redline Aviation Security in the UK. The structure of the 5-day course included a mixture of theory and practice, and practical activities were linked to nuclear security matters.
In particular, participants learned group management and communication techniques for conducting effective training sessions and gained experience and guidance in delivering their own training sessions.
Sessions covered such topics as the:
- Principles and Techniques of Good Instruction
- Qualities of an Instructor
- Motivation
- Preparation and Planning
- Lesson Structure and Setting Objectives
- Question Techniques
- Managing a Classroom Environment
- Instructional Aids
- Skills Lesson
- Brief, Monitor, Debrief (Coaching)
During the last two days the delegates had the opportunity to rehearse the training techniques they had acquired during the course and to receive individual feedback from the two instructors. Mr Acevedo provided real-life examples about nuclear power plants when needed. These examples helped delegates link the theoretical concepts taught by the instructors to the training needs of their current job positions.
Concluding Session
In their closing remarks, a representative from NNRA, Prof. Laurence A. Dim (FNIP) and Mr. Acevedo emphasised that the success of the training was largely due to the active contributions of all participants. They added that during the five-day training course, the delegates showed a strong appetite for learning tools and techniques for increasing their capabilities to strengthen their current training skills.
Participants committed to build on this success and to increase opportunities in which Nigerian nuclear stakeholders can exchange their experiences with national and international partners in regard to effectively transmitting nuclear security know-how through training, coaching and mentoring.
Participant Reflections
Nuclear security education is key to enhancing security at nuclear / radiological facilities. The WINS train the trainer approach is apt and will significantly support the goal of Nuclear Security Support Centres around the world in providing education and training to scientists, technicians and engineers, including the response force.
–Yakubu Viva Ibrahim
The training is educative and interactive and I have learnt a lot.
–Saleh Na’Allah Abdullahi
The train the trainer course was timely, especially now that Nigeria has established a Nuclear Security Centre with the responsibility to train the regulator and other stakeholders in the country. I have tremendously benefited from this training because it has opened my eyes to some basic tips in imparting knowledge to others. For instance, i have been taught as an instructor to be enthusiastic throughout the course. I enjoyed every part of the training, including the assessment of my performance as a potential instructor.
–Ethel Ofoegbu
The training is informative and rewarding.
–Abdullahi Danmani
The train-the-trainer workshop is highly educating. It has given me all the skills I need to have to be an effective nuclear security instructor.
–Abubakar Baba Bashir
