Where are our alumni now and what are they up to?
We have over 900 alumni from different education backgrounds and fields of work. It is interesting to know about them and what they do especially if they are not originally in the training business. We got to meet up with one of our Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Alumni, Encik Ahmad Zafuan Mohamed Kassim who recently paid us a visit.
Can you share a little bit about yourself, your background in brief?
I graduated in Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2001. Just recently last year, I graduated with my Master Degree, Master of Sustainability Science from Universiti Malaya (UM). My focus of study was on policy and science technology and innovation.
As for my job, I have been running my own company since 2015. At that point of time, I was focused on energy management and energy audit. In 2018, I started to get interested in sustainability issues. In 2019, I joined the United Nations (UN) and worked with them on a national project for Solar Thermal development, focusing on ecosystem development and strategic planning. My company’s business operation was put on hold during that period due to Covid19. Since last year, after the completion of the project with the UN, only then I was able to come back to my own company and start back my business. The company name recently was Locarbon Solutions PLT was changed to Innogy PLT. Most of the activity focuses on sustainability development. Besides the name, the business strategy has also changed to training and consultancy.
So your line of work includes training in some way?
I’ve never experienced being a full-time trainer but I was involved in training since the beginning of my career. It was in my line of work. I was trained as a trainer focusing on technical training. I was more on technical investigation and product support but I had to give training to clients, as in train them on how to operate machines.
I was involved in a lot of training in most of my previous jobs and my exposure is mostly on technical training and product operations. It’s more on briefing clients on processes, procedures and the development of energy management.
I found that there’s a big gap in the implementation whereby the decision maker or the top management also needs this information. So what I’m working on right now, is that I develop training modules which mainly focus on the top management. We are trying to fulfill training for top management in the non-technical area.
How did you discover Access Ideas or AIM? What led you to choose us?
It was in 2018 that I asked around about the TTT course from friends and I also contacted HRD Corp to get further information. I also did my own research on which company I should take the course with. I found AIM from my searches and I followed Sensei Fauzan on social media and read a lot of his postings. One particular posting that caught my attention is his sharing on ‘Ikigai’. I like that sharing and I was interested to read more of his other postings. I read a lot of his sharing on his journey of becoming a full-time trainer. I also found out that his background is in engineering, similar to me. All that is what led me to choose AIM.
Basically, I found AIM in 2018. I have already chosen AIM from the start. The plan to go for the course was years ago but due to a lot of going ons and also Covid19 being one of the reasons, the plan was postponed but I finally went for TTT last year in August.
How does the TTT programme help you or how do you feel that you benefit from it?
From my recent searches, I gained a lot of information that mostly points out ‘you can be a trainer but you don’t know the fundamentals as a trainer’, it was something along that line. And from that, I felt that it was important that I join the programme. I wanted to know exactly the functions of a trainer.
I was equipped with materials such as booklets and notes filled with a lot of information needed and I can always refer to it. The most interesting segment for me during the programme was the philosophical part. There were a lot of sharing as well throughout the whole programme, which I like. When the trainer started sharing, I started taking notes, thinking and planning things relating it to what I will be doing. So that was very helpful. It certainly gave an impact as it helps with what I’m working on now.
Did AIM support you in any way?What did you gain from your meetings with AIM after TTT?
The good thing about AIM is the ecosystem they create. Once you complete the TTT programme, they will include you in a WhatsApp group. We still get support from them after the programme. I’ve been to their office about twice now to discuss and get their guidance, especially on the module development, on the technicality of the training programme, and how to conduct training. Of course they have a tight schedule and I understand that. I drop them texts a number of times, and both Sensei Fauzan and Zati still find the time to respond to me. As I am venturing into the training industry now, they guide me on these things and that is the kind of support that I really need and appreciate. I really thank them for that.
Are there any major challenges you faced along the way?
The major challenge is to build confidence. I’ve never done this before but now that it is part of my business, as I said that the two main areas are now consultancy and training, I am focusing on training development and less on consultancy at the moment. From the start, I did have difficulty in this area but now I can say that I’m feeling quite confident.
Would you say that there is an advantage from attending the TTT programme?
For me, the advantage is in terms of fundamentals. You get the basic knowledge from the programme. With that basic knowledge, you’ll know how to work with that. Now that I am developing the modules, I know what I need to do to fulfill it. I can refer to the notes that I got, I can search and find information on the internet or through discussions. And if I really need more assistance, I can always get in touch with AIM, usually with Sensei Fauzan and Zati.
It’s also good to know that you have a group there. I read the sharings and discussions in the chat group sometimes. Although I’m not active in the WhatsApp group and I never ask or share anything there, it’s good to know that if you need help, there is a platform that you can reach out to. It’s a secondary resource for me.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I will still be in touch with AIM as I may need more guidance. In terms of developing the modules, it is almost complete and we will kick-off the training programme soon. So, I may be facing more challenges on the next stage. I find the discussions with AIM valuable because you are more experienced in the training industry, and I mean real experience. Through the discussions, it not only gives me tips but I get useful information and triggers ideas for me to think further. I definitely am thankful that AIM is helpful and supportive.