DDI Train-the-Trainer Workshops and Certifications
DDI Train-the-Trainer Workshops Set Industry Standards
DDI’s expert facilitators are among the best in the business. And we’re ready and waiting to deliver high-impact leadership programs that transform learners into better leaders.
We also know that many companies want to have their own facilitators deliver their programs. That’s why we offer train-the-trainer certifications to make sure your team is ready to deliver top-quality experiences for your leaders, too.
- Leadership Development to facilitate our award-winning courses for leaders.
- Facilitator Boosters to advance skills of DDI-certified trainers.
- Targeted Selection® to build skills in the world's most widely used interviewing program.
Deliver Award-Winning Leadership Development Courses
Today’s learners have high expectations of the classroom experience, and DDI has certified more than 100,000 facilitators for more than 50 years. Facilitators need to be ready drive behavior change and develop better leaders to deliver a “wow” experience. And they need to be engaging and insightful as they train and coach your leaders. Get ready to gain the best facilitators to deliver award-winning courses available with our Leadership Development Subscription.
Facilitator Certification Process (FCP)
Certify your trainers to facilitate 40+ DDI leadership courses.
This three-day session develops the skills and competencies facilitators need to deliver leadership training for organizational success. Upon successful certification in person or in a virtual classroom, facilitators will be able to deliver 40+ courses available with the DDI Foundation Subscription.
The Facilitator Certification Process workshop is designed for participants to:
- Build and sustain a high-trust learning environment, empowering them to develop exceptional leaders in their organization.
- See a positive model facilitated by their Master Trainer and then learn to apply the four facilitator competencies to effectively deliver DDI's courses.
- Learn a variety of techniques to deliver content, facilitate skill practice exercises, handle challenging classroom situations, and more.
Session Details
- Competencies Developed: Engaging Communication, Facilitation of Learning, Facilitator Emotional Intelligence, and Guiding Learners
- Delivery: Instructor-led, virtual (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house or public workshop
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Lifetime Certification: Service agreement is required for the facilitator’s organization
- Ongoing Support for Facilitators: Regular email updates, online learning resources, exclusive webinars, and more
Copied to clipboard
Master Trainer Certification
Get certified to certify other facilitators at your organization.
DDI's Master Trainer certification process enables your experienced facilitators to certify new facilitators from your organization in DDI's Facilitator Certification Process (FCP) to deliver DDI's courses.
The Master Trainer Certification Process is designed for facilitators to:
- Obtain and understand all materials to conduct the Facilitator Certification Process (FCP) and make certification decisions at your organization.
- Model and demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies: Certification Decision Making, Coaching and Developing Others, Planning and Organizing, Facilitation of Learning, Engaging Communication, Guiding Learners, and Facilitator EQ (Emotional Intelligence).
- Provide specific and balanced feedback to facilitator candidates around the competencies and key actions needed to deliver courses successfully for certification.
- Collaboratively create a development plan with facilitator candidates to enhance or develop facilitator candidates’ skills.
Prerequisites
The following prerequisites must be met before the certification process begins:
- Successfully obtain certification in DDI's Facilitator Certification Program (FCP) workshop.
- Acquire direct delivery experience with DDI's Interaction Management® courses. DDI recommends facilitation of 3-5 courses, 3-5 times each.
- Achieve familiarity with the courses used as practice assignments and the ability to coach candidates to facilitate those courses.
Certification Steps
The process is led by one of DDI's Master Trainers, who will verify with the Master Trainer candidate that the prerequisites have been met. The DDI Master Trainer and the candidate will schedule the best time to work together as follows:
- Master Trainer Planning Session: This session will review the workshop agenda, materials, and content. It will introduce the certification process including the measures of success and support. The DDI Master Trainer will coach the candidate on preparing and leading an FCP workshop and will discuss how DDI programs will support the organization. This session should be conducted at least three weeks prior to the co-training workshop.
- Calibration Session: This session will focus on how to effectively track and calibrate competency ratings to make certification decisions. It should be scheduled after the planning session and prior to the co-training workshop.
- Co-Training Workshop: The Master Trainer candidate will co-train an FCP workshop at your organization with the DDI Master Trainer and deliver approximately 75-85% of the workshop.
Copied to clipboard
Improve Skills with Facilitator Boosters
DDI-certified facilitators deliver breakthrough moments of learning and leadership. But there's always new skills to learn. We offer booster sessions to help your trainers take their facilitation to the next level. Browse our Facilitator Booster sessions below or download an overview.
Facilitator Booster: Amplify Insight at the Mid-Level
Get ready to deliver high-impact sessions for mid-level leaders.
This six-hour workshop builds on a facilitator’s existing skills from attending the Facilitator Certification Process (FCP). Participants explore and practice the unique skills needed to position leadership development content for mid-level anchored to your organization’s strategic context.
The Facilitator Booster: Amplify Insight at the Mid-Level is designed for facilitators to:
- Explore the unique challenges and expectations when facilitating for mid-level leaders.
- Learn three new facilitator competencies: Compelling Communication and Facilitation, Credibility at the Mid-Level, and being a Master Integrator.
- Practice delivering mid-level leadership development content and receive feedback from a DDI Master Trainer on effectiveness demonstrating the additional facilitator competencies.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Course Length: 6 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP)
- Group Size: Minimum of 3, maximum of 4
- Delivery: Virtual instructor-led (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house or public workshop.
Copied to clipboard
Facilitator Booster: Foster Inclusion and Courage
Create a psychologically safe space for learning and disclosure.
This half-day session is important for facilitators who lead sessions on particularly personal, emotional, or sensitive topics—including those having to do with diversity, inclusion, and equity.
The Facilitator Booster: Foster Inclusion and Courage is designed for facilitators to:
- Gain skills, resources, and tools they need to create a safe space for disclosure and courageous learning experiences.
- Create a psychologically safe space for learners to express emotion and vulnerability.
- Invite learners to examine entrenched biases and behaviors, and engage fully in learning that will lead to behavior change.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Course Length: 3.5 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP)
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Virtual instructor-led (via Zoom), available as an in-house or public workshop
Copied to clipboard
Facilitator Booster: Maximizing In-Person Delivery
Build confidence to facilitate in-person in a physical classroom.
With the return to the office, you may be planning for in-person training too. If your recently certified facilitators have only delivered DDI courses in a virtual classroom, this booster is designed for them!
This session helps your facilitators transfer the skills they learned in DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process workshop to the in-person classroom and builds their confidence using DDI materials and facilitating in a physical classroom environment.
The Facilitator Booster: Maximizing In-Person Delivery is designed for facilitators to:
- Understand how the competencies learned in DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process are applied and optimized for in-person facilitation.
- Leverage the classroom environment and materials to practice effectively delivering courses in an in-person setting.
- Explore best practices for facilitation preparation and delivery.
- Learn to proactively avoid common classroom challenges.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Course Length: 5.5 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP)
- Group Size: 4 to 8 people
- Delivery: In-person, in-house only
Copied to clipboard
Facilitator Booster: Targeted Selection®
Get certified to deliver the industry's leading interviewer training.
This full-day session helps your facilitators become well-versed in DDI’s behavioral interviewing system and use their facilitation skills to transfer that knowledge to others in your organization.
The Facilitator Booster: Targeted Selection® is designed for facilitators to:
- Enhance their knowledge of DDI’s system, process, and skills required to effectively conduct behavioral interviews and make better selection decisions.
- Explore content from The Art and Science of Behavioral Interviewing courses.
- Use the four facilitator competencies to effectively deliver The Science of Behavioral Interviewing course.
- Use a process to provide and receive specific and balanced feedback.
- Effectively handle difficult classroom situations.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 4.5 hours
- Course Length: 6.5 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP) or Targeted Selection® Trainer
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Virtual instructor-led (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house or public workshop
Copied to clipboard
Facilitator Booster: Virtual Classroom
Transfer facilitation skills from an in-person to a virtual environment.
This half-day session helps your facilitators transfer the skills they learned in DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process workshop to the virtual classroom, taking into consideration the unique learning needs and technology challenges of a virtual setting.
The Facilitator Booster: Virtual Classroom is designed for facilitators to:
- Explore and understand how DDI’s facilitator competencies and key actions translate in becoming an effective virtual facilitator.
- Learn how the classroom course design has been modified to engage learners in the virtual classroom.
- Identify development opportunities to enhance virtual classroom delivery skills.
- Discuss best practices, including the role of a producer.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Course Length: 4 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP)
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Virtual instructor-led (via Zoom), available as an in-house or public workshop
Copied to clipboard
Get Certified in Targeted Selection
DDI invented Targeted Selection®, the first behavior-based interviewing system. And we can certify your people to master it. That way, they can train leaders across your organization. So you have a fair, consistent process to make sure you’re really hiring the right candidates. Explore our train-the-trainer options below or download an overview.
Facilitator Booster: Targeted Selection®
Get certified to deliver the industry's leading interviewer training.
This full-day session helps your facilitators become well-versed in DDI’s behavioral interviewing system and use their facilitation skills to transfer that knowledge to others in your organization.
The Facilitator Booster: Targeted Selection® is designed for facilitators to:
- Enhance their knowledge of DDI’s system, process, and skills required to effectively conduct behavioral interviews and make better selection decisions.
- Explore content from The Art and Science of Behavioral Interviewing courses.
- Use the four facilitator competencies to effectively deliver The Science of Behavioral Interviewing course.
- Use a process to provide and receive specific and balanced feedback.
- Effectively handle difficult classroom situations.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 4.5 hours
- Course Length: 6.5 hours
- Prerequisite: DDI’s Facilitator Certification Process (FCP) or Targeted Selection® Trainer
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Virtual instructor-led (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house or public workshop
Copied to clipboard
Targeted Selection®: Trainer
Prepare trainers to deliver Targeted Selection courses.
This three-day session prepares your trainers to deliver Targeted Selection courses in your organization to boost interviewing skills and hire the best talent. Participants are awarded trainer certification after successfully completing this workshop.
The Targeted Selection®: Trainer certification workshop is designed for participants to:
- Develop, enhance, or review the knowledge, motivations, and behaviors required to successfully deliver The Art and Science of Behavioral Interviewing courses.
- Demonstrate the competencies needed for certification: Facilitation of Learning, Communicating with Impact, Formal Presentation, Coaching, and Technical Knowledge.
- Use the Targeted Selection trainer materials and other learning methods to effectively facilitate interviewer training.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Course Length: 3 days
- Prerequisite: None
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Instructor-led, virtual (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house or public workshop
Copied to clipboard
Targeted Selection®: Program Manager
Develop program managers for a Targeted Selection implementation.
The success of any new company-wide program depends on a clear, sustainable implementation plan. It also requires an organized, dedicated program manager at the helm. This half-day session develops strong program managers for a successful Targeted Selection implementation in your organization.
The Targeted Selection®: Program Manager workshop is designed for participants to:
- Learn five sustainability factors to ensure long-term success: Communication, Accountability, Skills, Alignment, and Measurement.
- Develop a comprehensive plan using seven implementation planning process steps.
- Identify the Business Need
- Plan Rollout and Communication Strategies
- Design Interviewing System
- Design Training Solution
- Develop Implementation
- Establish Progress and Outcome Measures
- Ensure Sustainability
- Discuss barriers and how to address common challenges.
Session Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Course Length: 3.5 hours virtual workshop, plus additional 40 minutes of self-directed learning after the live course
- Prerequisite: Completion of Targeted Selection’s Art of Behavioral Interviewing and Science of Behavioral Interviewing (in classroom, virtual classroom, or web-based training formats)
- Group Size: Up to 6 people
- Delivery: Instructor-led, virtual (via Zoom) or in person, available as an in-house workshop
Copied to clipboard
They're the 'gold standard' in training. I've been certified in many other trainings as well...but DDI is simple, it's standardized, it fits all of our needs.
— Brad Grider, Director, Global Labor and Non-Governmental Organizational Relations and Global Learning
Have a Question?
Frequently Asked Questions About Train the Trainer
-
What is DDI's approach to Train-the-Trainer?
Our Train-the-Trainer program equips your team members with the skills and confidence to deliver high-impact leadership courses as DDI certified facilitators. Our hands-on, practical approach is built on proven learning techniques. Certified facilitators gain deep knowledge of the content and delivery methods to create consistent, engaging learning experiences for leaders across your organization.
-
What skills do I gain from DDI's train-the-trainer programs?
Through the Facilitator Certification Process (FCP), trainers build skills in engaging delivery, managing group dynamics, and adapting content to different audiences. They learn how to create safe, inclusive learning environments and spark “aha” moments. Trainers also gain deep knowledge of DDI content, coaching techniques, and how to measure learning impact.
-
How does DDI support the continuous development of certified trainers?
We offer Facilitator Boosters—practical half- or full-day sessions to sharpen trainer skills in areas like engagement, virtual delivery, and tough questions. They keep facilitators confident, current, and ready to deliver impact. Leadership Development Subscriptions also include on-demand Facilitator Best Practices resources to support accessibility, build technical acumen, and deliver personalized impact sessions.
-
Should I certify my own trainers or bring in external facilitators?
It depends on your goals. Certifying your own trainers builds internal capability and cultural alignment. But bringing in DDI’s expert facilitators is great for launching quickly, scaling, and creating a greater sense of psychological safety. Many organizations use a mix of both for flexibility and impact.
recommended Resources
-
Best practices for facilitating inclusive leadership training, including pitfalls to avoid and the special skills facilitators need to enhance (and not derail) DEI discussions.
BLOGHow to Facilitate Inclusive Leadership Training
10 min
-
On-demand Webinar: Designed for facilitators, this session will offer a preview of DDI’s new facilitator booster to encourage inclusive and courageous classroom discussions.
WEBINARBoost Your Facilitator Skills: Foster Inclusion and Courage
60 min
-
Best practices and tips for how to implement a leadership development program that’s sure to succeed.
BLOGHow to Implement a Leadership Development Program: 10 Best Practices for Success
12 min