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 not long ago, Ms Vanessa Voo.
Can you share a little bit about yourself?
I graduated from Singapore Airlines Training Centre in 2013. I am currently the COO and co-founder of Engage Life, a corporate wellness and engagement company that provides programmes to a wide range of corporate companies to support their employees in health and wellbeing, while improving their employee engagement scores. We provide training programmes based on the 7 pillars of wellness in line with our tagline #GamifyingWellness through the Engage life App. We put the fun into ‘health’ to achieve a healthier and happier workforce in Malaysia. On the side, I provide customer experience training and consultation to a chain of private hospitals in Malaysia.
Are you a full-time trainer? Do you have a specific training topic?
I am a part-time trainer. My training topic is The WOW Culture, a programme inspired by my retired mother who was the Chief of Nursing at a private hospital. This programme is designed to, as in its name, a WOW culture among employees at hospitals in order to create WOW experiences to patients and their family members.
How did you discover Access Ideas or AIM? What led you to choose us?
I was introduced to Access Ideas back in 2019 when I had just returned home to Malaysia after being away for 6 years. At that time, I had an education background that did not catch the eye of most employers in the country. Equipped with only the knowledge in providing customer care to premium passengers at my former employer, Singapore Airlines, a friend encouraged me to put my experience to good as there was a huge gap in quality customer care in Malaysia. I took a leap of faith and invested in myself, upgrading my then zero skills in training through the TTT (Train The Trainer) Programme with Sensei Fauzan.
Care to share on your journey after the TTT programme? Did AIM support you in any way?
AIM not only provided a 5-day course, but also continuous support and advice throughout the years after graduating as a HRDC certified trainer. I am grateful that this training was not simply a one-off thing as most training usually are. Having just graduated and immediately thrown into the boundaries of MCO and lockdowns, I was at first disappointed that my ‘investment’ was not being realised. AIM continued encouraging me and answered all my questions with care and kindness. Finally, with AIM’s encouragement and even brainstorming sessions for my training programme’s outline, my new-found passion in training became a reality with my first training gig almost 2 years after graduating.
How does the TTT programme help you? / How did you benefit from the programme?
As an active trainer and playing a key role at Engage Life in designing programmes with other industry experts, TTT had helped me abundantly in having a sense of structure. I used to think that training is just ‘how well you can talk’ but it goes so much more than that! Through TTT, I now not only understand what being a trainer is all about, but I am also able to identify and find fellow trainers for Engage Life, all while helping them improve on their training skills too! Plus, with TTT, I have gained the confidence to share my experience and knowledge in customer care in a way that my audience is able to absorb and apply at their workplace.
Are there any major challenges you faced along the way to come to where you are today?
Of course! With all things new, there are certainly challenges. Someone once said, “If it is uncomfortable, it means you are learning.” I keep this phrase close to my heart and at the beginning, I was not only thrown with the uncertainties of the lockdown right after graduating, but also the fear of not being ‘good enough’ in the training industry. However, I have learnt that persistence and getting the right mentors (AIM!) are the key to being where I am today.
What are your plans in the future/long term?
I plan to continue creating programmes in line with The Wow Culture. This year, I have designed WOW 2.0 for hospitals. I hope to one day copyright my programme and write a book too!
Any advice that you would like to share with new trainers or those who are interested in becoming a trainer but don’t know where to start.
“Invest in yourself.” Do not be afraid to spend money on yourself. Take up self-improvement courses and continuously sharpen your skills. I know it may be hard to fork out money on courses during a possible economic downturn, but there are plenty of free courses out there, support from HRDC, and many more avenues!
“Find a mentor.” Why not learn from other people’s mistakes instead of our own! (haha). Find a mentor (or two) that will help you grow. Remember that a mentor does not give you answers, but helps you reach your own realisation, solutions, and strategies. If you are looking for a great mentor in the training industry, Sensei Fauzan is one I trust and look up to.
Finally, the training industry is a great one to be in, whether you are doing it full-time or simply trying it out on a part-time basis. There is nothing to lose but so much to gain when you can impart your knowledge to others and help them be the best versions they can be.
Do you have your own quote/personal motto that you live by?
“Your best is yet to come”
My Mum has reminded me of this a million times especially during my lowest times. Adding on to this, remember that your best is ALWAYS yet to come. When we think we are the ‘best,’ remind yourself that “your best is STILL yet to come” because if not, that is when we stop learning and growing. There is always room for improvement and being better than yesterday is what makes life more interesting and fulfilling, anyway!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
If you are reading this, I hope you find comfort and motivation in the fact that if I can embark on a new career journey midway with the support of AIM, you can too! It comes with hard work, but “your best is yet to come.”