Enhancing communication through creative thinking

A workshop on enhancing communication through creative thinking, mentored by Joseph Woods, manager of innovation at the World Centre for New Thinking, was recently organised by TTnet Malta.

Mr Woods, an accredited trainer of the Edward De Bono Thinking Skills, is involved in training and the provision of creative thinking consultancy in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to learn how to make use of creative thinking, from a casual situation to a discussion and applied situation, therefore enhancing 'thinking structures'.

TTnet Malta is a member of the European Training of Trainers Network, established in 1998 by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) under the EU Commission.

The network defines itself as a community forum for communication, co-operation and expertise in the field of training of vocational teachers and trainers. Its aim is to promote the development of vocational teachers' and trainers' skills.

TTnet is made up of the national networks, bringing together organisations and players involved in the training of vocational teachers and trainers. It is aptly known as a 'network of networks'.

The local network, hosted by the Employment and Training Corporation, has been in operation since 2004. It has a committee of eight independent members.

TTnet Malta aims to serve as a discussion forum and platform between key actors, main experts and policy-makers; contribute to the identification, analysis and dissemination of innovative approaches in key priority areas for the training of VET teachers and trainers; and act as an interface at national, transnational and community levels.

The local committee has recently seen some changes and the first activity was to send a representative group to the University of Wales. This came after an invitation from CEDEFOP to participate in the first consultation seminar and workshop organised around country groupings. Malta was placed in the first of a series of six parallel events with groups from the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland and Romania.

Participant groups consisted of trainers, researchers, administrators, HR managers and other VET stakeholders.

Topics to be addressed include national strategies for the recognition of VET teachers and trainers, new technologies in the delivery of training, the role of regulatory bodies in respect of accreditation systems and the professional development of VET teachers and trainers.

The information generated locally will be used for the compilation of a final document to be presented to the European Commission next year.

Membership in the local network is open to all interested individuals and organisations free of charge. Application forms can be downloaded from the TTnet Malta website www.ttnetmalta.com.