The Training of Trainers Manual - UNFPA

In general, these are current or former peer education trainers who have
demonstrated commitment and excellence in their work. They have conducted
trainings and would benefit from more detailed knowledge about peer education,
training skills, and management of peer educators. Some portions of this manual
may also be used by peer educators themselves.
Y-PEER training model
Y-PEER uses a pyramid training model, which empowers youth to pass on
knowledge, skills, and practical expertise as new young people join a peer
education programme. This
model also provides a system
for continuous training and
recognizes commitment and
Specialized Training
excellence of individuals.
Training of Trainers
Training of peer educators
provides the foundation
Training of Peer Educators
of the initiative. Trainings
take place locally and often
begin by introducing new
information and skills necessary
to conduct outreach to peers in their community. Although it may start with a
workshop, this training is not a one-time event. The ultimate purpose of ongoing
training and supervision is to improve the ability of peer educators to provide
accurate information and confidently influence their peers in a positive way.
Training of trainers, the next step in the pyramid model, prepares future trainers
of peer educators, those individuals who exhibit skills and commitment to
peer education. These trainings provide more in-depth information about peer
education training techniques and theory. They enable trainers to explore ways
to recruit and supervise peer educators, monitor their work, and manage small
groups of peer educators as part of a larger programme. This manual provides
a curriculum for this level of training. These trainings give even more in-depth
information on relevant topics, such as youth participation, retention of peer
educators, or the needs of especially vulnerable young people.
Specialized training, the top of the pyramid, is designed for more experienced
trainers, or ‘master trainers’, to receive additional training in the same content areas
as covered in the training of trainers level, as well as more attention to training
techniques. These master trainers, in turn, support less experienced trainers and
peer educators. They are encouraged to hold refresher workshops to pass on new
and pertinent information and skills.
11