Trainer qualification

Our trainer qualification will help you to harness your own experiences and knowledge in training others

Learn how to pass on your skills and knowledge with our trainer qualification.

This flexible qualification is practically assessed, meaning you'll plan and run training sessions as part of the assessment. You'll be assigned a tutor, who'll be available to advise you along the way and review your progress.

To gain the trainer qualification, you'll have to complete a minimum of 2 modules from the course. Module 1 - Training for Girlguiding is compulsory, and then you can chose an additional module from the list below.

  • Module 2: Leading and managing people - support volunteers in managerial roles to work with their teams effectively.
  • Module 3: Programme - ensure consistency and excellence in the delivery of our programme.
  • Module 4: Subject matter expert - pass on your specialist skill - from first aid to performing arts.

Once you've completed your trainer qualification, you'll receive a badge and a certificate, and your GO record will be updated to show your trainer role.

Read more about these modules and download below.

How do I get started?

You'll need to become a prospective trainer first, so follow our instructions on becoming a trainer. You'll then be assigned a tutor who will take you through the qualification step by step.

Training for qualified trainers

Once you're a trainer, there's no limit to the number of specialisms you can hold.

You may want to complete modules 2 or 3 if you haven't already, or select another specialism from module 4. Many of our trainers are equipped to train on more than one subject.

There are 2 additional modules designed for qualified trainers, which focus on managing training events and teams within Girlguiding. You'll need to complete module 5 before you can take module 6.

  • Module 5: Residential - focuses on running training at a residential event
  • Module 6: Leading a team of trainers - will equip you to take on the role of lead trainer.

Speak to your local trainer coordinator for more information about taking on additional modules.

More details about these modules and what you need to do are also below.

Trainer qualification modules

Module 1 is the core requirement for all Girlguiding qualified trainers, and needs to be completed with at least 1 other module. To complete it, you'll need to demonstrate knowledge - both of Girlguiding and of training best practice - and plan and deliver a number of training sessions.

What you'll need to do

  • Demonstrate a good knowledge of Girlguiding as an organisation, the trainer role and a range of training and facilitation techniques.
  • Plan good quality training sessions.
  • Carry out risk management in accordance with Girlguiding guidelines.
  • Deliver a number of training sessions fulfilling our criteria for best practice.
  • Demonstrate good communication and presentation skills.
  • Show that you’ve helped participants with their self-development through your sessions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of resources required to support the learning of participants.

Download this module

In this module, you’ll deliver training in the skills adult members and young leaders need to fulfil their leadership roles. Your sessions will need to demonstrate a range of non-directive training methods, including coaching and facilitation.

Module 2 is an optional module. To become a trainer, you have to complete 1 optional module alongside module 1, which is compulsory.

What you'll need to do

Demonstrate good knowledge of:

  • Skills needed by adults in a leadership role, including communication, change management, team work, building relationships and succession planning.
  • The specifics of leading and managing people in Girlguiding, including Girlguiding support structures, welcoming and supporting new adult members, and using GO.
  • Non-directive training practice.
  • Mentoring skills.

You’ll also need to show your ongoing development through your personal development plan, which will be reviewed and updated after each training.

Download this module

To complete this module, you'll need to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of our current programme, and its foundations - the 5 essentials and our educational framework. 

You can take this module if you:

  • Have completed your leadership qualification.
  • Are currently working with girls on a regular basis, such as in a unit or district role.

For this module, you’ll need to demonstrate an ability to train in any section, rather than focusing on a specific section. However, once qualified, you may choose to specialise in 1 section.

Module 3 is an optional module. To become a Girlguiding qualified trainer, you have to complete 1 optional module alongside module 1, which is compulsory.

What you'll need to do

Demonstrate a full working knowledge of the programme for each section, including:

  • The Five Essentials and how they work.
  • Key programme elements.
  • The practical application of good guiding.
  • Supporting resources for both leaders, and girls and young women.
  • Development within our Educational Framework.

You'll also need to show good knowledge of our website, section e-mailings, and opportunities and resources available from WAGGGS.

Download this module

Module 4 focuses on delivering training in a single subject. By completing it, you can become a qualified trainer in a specialist area, such as 1st response, camping skills or financial management.

Module 4 is an optional module. To become a trainer, you have to complete 1 optional module alongside module 1, which is compulsory.

There's no limit to how many training specialisms you can have - you might want to complete module 4 several times so you can deliver training on a variety of subjects. 

What topics can I train in?

  • Advocacy - Girlguiding’s advocacy approach, campaigning, decision-making and influencing.
  • Camping skills – pitching, striking and care of all types of tent, site management and outdoor catering. This is a different specialism to Going Away With.
  • Catering - all areas of catering and food preparation within guiding.
  • Challenging behaviour - addressing challenging adult and girl behaviour.
  • Comedy improvisation - exploring exercises and games designed to develop creativity and problem solving.
  • Complaints- managing complaints and concerns within Girlguiding policies and processes.
  • Duke of Edinburgh's Award
  • Financial management - all aspects of financial management including accounts, gift aid, budgeting and financial risk management in line with Girlguiding policy.
  • Food hygiene
  • Fundraising - raising money through a variety of fundraising approaches.
  • Going away with - all aspects of the going away with scheme, with the exception of travelling abroad.
  • IT skills - using IT in guiding, and how to use software, such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  • Large-scale events – project-managing or participating in running large-scale events, in line with Girlguiding's events guidance.
  • Making music- exploring different ways to use music in your unit.
  • Marketing and communications - branding, communications, promotion, PR, digital and social media, website development, and advertising - including Girlguiding strategy.
  • Membership growth
  • Membership systems - using GO and working within Girlguiding’s data protection policy.
  • Outdoor skills– everything from giving leaders the confidence to take girls outdoors to outdoor safety and expedition skills.
  • Peer education - to help peer educators develop their knowledge, attitude, and skills to take peer education sessions on approved topics to units. 
  • Risk management - Girlguiding’s risk assessment process, contingency planning and health and safety best practice.
  • A safe space - Girlguiding's safety and safeguarding policy.
  • Science – helping leaders provide science experiences in their units.
  • Spirituality - delivering sessions on a range of faiths and cultures and managing sensitive issues that may arise.
  • Trustees and governance - the roles of trustees and the governance structure of Girlguiding.
  • WAGGGS and international- WAGGGS structures and current initiatives, and bringing the international element into the Girlguiding programme.

Some specialisms require you to hold additional qualifications and prior experience before you start to work towards a training qualification in them.

  • 1st response- all trainers must have a full first aid certificate. This means it's provided and accredited by an organisation or governing body. The course must be at least 6 hours in duration. Example providers of first aid certificates include St John Ambulance, British Red Cross, British Canoeing, the Football Association, Health and Safety Executive.
  • A safe space - any Girlguiding trainer can deliver a safe space level 1 workshops. You must hold the current a safe space levels 1-3 in order to train on level 2 and 3. And hold level 4 in order to train on that. All trainers must have competed a safe space e-learning modules 1-3.
  • Travelling abroad - you must have completed the travelling abroad module of the going away with scheme and have experience of taking groups abroad within the last 3 years.
  • Water safety- you must hold an up-to-date water safety qualification or current Girlguiding water specialist appointment.

Fixed syllabuses

Generally, trainers are encouraged to design and deliver their own topical trainings on the above subjects, using Girlguiding resources as a guide. However, there are some subjects which have a fixed syllabus, and trainers must deliver a set training which covers very specific information. These are:

We have created these set training programmes to ensure consistency across Girlguiding, and to guarantee volunteers are briefed on issues relating to safety and safeguarding in the same way.

What you'll need to do

To begin working on a module 4 topic, you'll need to give details of your area of expertise and - where relevant - qualifications and professional memberships. If you’re already a trainer, speak to your trainer qualification coordinator, and if you’re looking to become a trainer please see our information on becoming a trainer.

As you work towards your qualification, you’ll need to:

  • Demonstrate good knowledge of Girlguiding's relevant resources and how to deliver appropriate training in your subject.
  • Ensure that the appropriate certification - where required - is available to the participants, either from Girlguiding or an awarding body.
  • Be able to explain to participants how they could extend their knowledge and skills further in this field.

You’ll also need to show your ongoing development through your personal development plan, which will be reviewed and updated after each training.

Download this module

This module is all about training at residential events. You’ll gain experience by observing residential training, and planning and delivering it as part of a training team.

To be awarded module 5, you must be a qualified Girlguiding trainer. You can complete this module straight after finishing your trainer qualification or at a later date.

If you earned your trainer qualification more than 3 years ago, you'll need to renew it before starting this training.

What you'll need to do

To complete module 5, you'll need to:

  • Attend a Girlguiding residential event as an observer and report on the training that took place.
  • Deliver several training sessions at non-residential training events.
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of residential training, including tailoring training to participants' needs, offering support outside of sessions and dealing with challenging behaviour.
  • Assist with the planning and delivery of a residential training event, as part of a training team.
  • After the residential event, carry out a self-evaluation covering the entire event.

Download this module

This module will equip you to take on the role of lead trainer, and lead a team of 2 or more trainers at an event. A lead trainer is someone who has the skills, knowledge and experience to effectively lead and support a training team at residentials, day events and county days.

To take this module, you'll need:

  • A trainer qualification with module 5.
  • Experience of successfully coordinating a team of adults to deliver a Girlguiding event in the last 3 years*, and be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to do this.
  • A reference from the relevant commissioner for this event, which will be requested by your countries and regions trainer or trainer qualification coordinator.
  • To have discussed your intention with, and be supported by, your country or region trainer or trainer qualification coordinator.

 *This doesn’t need to be a training event - it could be an event for girls coordinated by an adult team. It can’t be a unit event or an event that was assessed for another trainer qualification module.

What you'll need to do

To complete module 6, you'll need to:

  • Discuss your experience of coordinating an event with your tutor, record your learning and any transferable skills gained.
  • Be on a training team as an active trainer for a training event which is led by a module 6 holder
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of team and project management, including delegation, communication, chairing meetings, dealing with challenges, inclusion and flexibility, and presentation skills.
  • Lead a training team at a training event, delivering at least 1 training session.

Download this module

Girlguiding wants to make the process of becoming a trainer easier. If you have previous experience in a related field, you may be exempt from the requirements of the Girlguiding trainer qualification. Learn more in the PDF document about recognised prior learning.

Renewing your trainer qualification

You need to renew your qualification every 3 years.

This is to ensure that:

  • Your training practice continues to meet the high standards of Girlguiding.
  • You remain up to date with the initiatives associated with your Girlguiding role(s).
  • You can best promote our projects and initiatives through your training.
  • You continue to demonstrate the guiding method through your role(s).
  • Your development needs are identified and met.

The trainer qualification renewal process involves:

  • An observation, where someone will come and observe you delivering training.
  • Updating your personal development plan to reflect your progress.

When it's time to renew your trainer qualification, your local trainer coordinator will contact you and guide you through the process step-by-step.

If any issues are raised during your observation, your observer will talk you through their concerns and find out how they can best support you. For more information on our concerns process, see our concerns page.

If you're observing trainers during their renewal process, here are the documents and guidelines you'll need:

Learn more about our trainer qualification

Do you have questions about how our trainer qualification works? Download our full guidance.