Instructor Recruitment
Procedures for instructor recruitment, training, continuing professional development and mentoring are crucial for the delivery, maintenance and long-term success of a high quality cycle training course that consistently meets the requirements of the National Standard.
It is likely that over the coming months and years a large number of new instructors will be required in order to cope with the expected demand.
Furthermore, it is essential that all instructors are provided with the support required and understand that there are many ways they can develop their skills, knowledge and experience.
Recruitment
As a scheme provider you may recruit cycle instructors in a number of ways depending on your local circumstances.
Some organisations may recruit individuals on a casual contract as direct employees whereas others may recruit through an agency that would then be responsible for carrying out all the administration such as any Criminal Records Bureau Checks and taking References.
To help you with the recruitment process, you can download an example recruitment policy and job description below:
Download Recruitment Policy
Download Example Job Description
Training & Continuing Professional Development
You will also need to consider how you will ensure that instructors are qualified to deliver to the National Standard if they do not already have the required qualification.
A typical training programme for a new recruit may need to provide the opportunity to gain this qualification. For example:
If successful at interview, new recruits are required to attend the first available four day National Standard Instructor training course. Contact a local Instructor Training Provider (ITP) for details of where and when these courses take place.
Download List of ITPs
On completion of the course, if awarded a provisional pass, participants must then gain experience of delivering courses to clients and be observed running two full sessions, usually one skills and one on-road. If successful at the formal observation stage they can then become fully qualified instructors, if they are not successful additional training may be required and the formal observation programme carried out again. An on-going mentoring programme should be implemented in order to identify further training needs.
You might also wish to offer instructors the opportunity to attend a short basic first aid course or the opportunity to attend a short cycle maintenance course.
All employees should be part of a Continuing Professional Development Programme where by they are given the opportunity to improve and broaden their knowledge, skill and the development of personal qualities. This is essential to maintain a high standard of cycle training in line with the national standard and Bikeability's overarching aims.
Download Instructor Training and CPD Policy
Mentoring
An established mentoring process is key to supporting a CPD programme. This is where a more experienced cycle instructor has responsibility for overseeing the career and development of an instructor, as well an ensuring they are providing training in line with the National Standard.
A good mentor should have the following skills:
» Received mentor training
» Be approachable, be able to listen to and empathise with new instructors
» Understand the national standards and their development
» Have excellent communication and diplomacy skills
An instructor appraisal (mentoring session) should take place at least annually with an observation session followed by formal feedback and discussion. This should give the instructor an opportunity to ask for - and the manager to suggest - any further training or seek different means to extend themselves or progress further.
A possible policy for mentoring may be:
» Hold at least one meeting a year for ALL instructors to attend which will provide the opportunity for them to meet and discuss issues with their fellow instructors and managers.
» Extra meetings held as and when necessary
» Minor information updates made by email or post
» Structured mentoring visits (at least one annually) will provide instructors with another opportunity to have dialogue with their managers.
Download the example mentoring forms below and adapt for your own use:
Download 2.2 Example Mentoring Form
Download 2.3 Mentor Guidance Sheet CTUK
