Training of Trainers several BSOs from Ivory Coast

To increase trade from African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) has launched the UK’s programme for trade partnerships (UKTP). For this project, we focussed on the Ivory Coast with the objective to contribute to increased export flows of cashews and tropical fruits.

Products

Cashews, tropical fruits

Year

2021

Country

Côte d’Ivoire

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Trade Fairs and Missions

Year

2021

Country

Côte d’Ivoire

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Trade Fairs and Missions
To elevate the knowledge of several Business Support Organisations (BSOs) from the Ivory Coast, we’ve set up a Training of Trainers programme on effective in trade fairs and B2B events participation (both physical and virtual). The training helped participants improve their skills for training micro-, small-, and medium-sized companies (MSMEs) on these topics.

Activities

  • Development of a full curriculum in French, consisting of 11 modules with materials such as PowerPoint presentations, assignments, self-assessments, quizzes, images, and videos. It also included a needs assessment for MSMEs, BSOs, and prospective trainers.
  • Development of a documented training plan detailing the course, modules, objectives, target group, learning aids, delivery modes, contents per slide, evaluation methods, interaction, and suggested ‘fun elements’ (e.g. quizzes and energizers).
  • Delivery of the newly developed training programme and a soft skills training session to the group of trainers.
  • Development of a toolkit for the BSOs, including a manual for MSMEs, to be used as a handout during and after the training. The manual has a specific focus on virtual trade fairs, including best practices, practicalities (how-to’s), checklists, images, and do’s and don’ts.
  • Development of a guide for BSOs on how to sustainably manage and deliver this training to MSMEs in the future, conduct a needs assessment, manage the group of trainers, and keep the training modules updated and relevant.
  • Development of resources for the trainers on how to remain up to date, useful links, and trade fair checkers.
  • On-the-job coaching with guidance of a group of trainers during their initial training delivery to MSMEs.

Results

Around 15 representatives from different BSOs around the Ivory Coast were trained to become trainers for improving trade fair participation. We delivered a guide, a training plan, and a full curriculum. We also trained participants on soft skills and developed a useful manual, entitled ‘My Trade Fair Plan’.