What do a coaches training institute and an 18^th century apprenticeship have in common? Not much…or do they? Benjamin Franklin began his career as an apprentice for his brother who was a printer. Before Ben ran away from this abusive situation at age 17, he learned skills that helped to pave the way for his success. Apprenticeships are still very common today, although not usually with a huge, sweaty guy in a blacksmith or print shop. We’re more likely to call them internships or vocational training programs.

Apprentices, or more often the parents, would sign away their freedom in exchange for room, board, and a promise of learning a trade. In our society the master tradesmen are not likely to want to share their living space, so we use the more “sophisticated” internship version. Internships may have some type of stipend, but usually not enough to cover much more than part of one’s monthly overhead. Medical interns are probably at the higher end of the pay scale, but when you factor in how many hours they work it comes out to be about $10 per hour. I think In-and-Out Burger pays about that, plus lunch. But internships provide instruction and experience, and allow the intern to start living their new role. They get to rub elbows with the masters in their field. And that’s what I look for in a coaches training institute.

So if we were to set up the ideal coaches training institute, one that used some of the better aspects of the apprenticeship model, without sacrificing freedom, what would it look like? It would have to include working with master coaches, who were committed to teaching you the tools of the trade. And ideally, to go a step beyond what the 18^th century apprentices often received…someone committed to their personal success. And the tools? Not only do you want to learn the latest coaching technologies, but to be able to practice these skills in real client situations with constructive feedback. Before you complete the program, you will also want to have the knowledge and skills to find clients. When the training ends, you should be ready to open with your own shop!

 

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Accountability Coach