Trainer Development Collaborative

The Trainer Development Collaborative (TDC) has responsibility for the development and delivery of training for trainers in both primary and secondary care 

Courses

Alongside our entry-level courses (Trainer Workshop and the GP Trainer Entry Course), the TDC offers a number of CPD opportunities, mapped to the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) framework, which are designed to help you develop in your trainer role.   

Our CPD courses: 

• expand on themes first introduced in the Trainer Workshop 
• consider the importance and influence of the learning environment 
• explore the practicalities of delivering effective training and 
• how the additional support needs of some trainees can be recognised and managed 

Modules

In addition to the courses on offer, a number of modules have been developed with the specific aim of raising awareness among postgraduate medical trainers of the work undertaken by the Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service (TDWS).   

There is an intention to develop a number of similar modules covering different topics relevant to training which you might find useful, therefore we would encourage you to look out for new these new resources.   

Trainer Development Conversation Videos… 

The TDC are producing a number of ‘Trainer Development Conversation’ videos featuring our Associate Postgraduate Dean Dr Daniel Bennett and guests, discussing a variety of topics relevant to postgraduate medical education.  New videos will continue to be published regularly so please check the TDC page on TURAS Learn to keep up to date with the latest videos. 

You can find more information about the TDC and the resources we provide on the Scotland Deanery website, on TURAS Learn, or by contacting us at nes.TDC.Admin@nes.scot.nhs.uk. 

Update on TDC courses for GP trainers  

• GP Trainer Entry Course (GP TEC) is designed for GPs who wish to become GP Educational Supervisors in Scotland and is now in its second year.
• GP Trainer Entry Course (GP TEC) is designed for GPs who wish to become GP Educational Supervisors in Scotland and is now in its second year. 

The course uses a blended learning approach, combining online modules with virtual and in-person meetings. In 2024, the TDC increased the course capacity to 96 spaces per year, which has positively impacted GP training capacity. Waiting lists are still managed on a priority basis. GPs who wish to become an Educational Supervisor are advised to contact their local TPD to ensure they can attend a course at the appropriate time. A list of General Practice TPDs can be found on the deanery website  

https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/trainee-information/gp-specialty-training/meet-our-teams/ 

2025 sees the addition of a new course, the GP Trainer Development Course. This is a one-day face to face course designed for newly approved GP Educational Supervisors (ES) who have had 1 -2 trainees. The aim is to build confidence and expand learning now that the ES has some experience in carrying out their new roles. There will be six courses a year in various locations throughout Scotland. This course takes place in a friendly non-judgemental environment allowing the participant to practice their new skills and discuss any concerns. Dates for the year will be on TURAS soon GP Trainer Development Course | Turas | Learn If you are interested, please keep an eye on the link.  

Trainer Development Conversations 

We are delighted to be able to launch our short resources “Trainer Development Conversations”. 

These will be available on the Trainer Development Collaborative area of TURAS Learn Resources for recognised and approved trainers | Turas | Learn.  These are short interviews on educational topics with each being around 20 to 30 minutes in length and have been developed in response to trainer feedback.  We have acknowledged from the feedback that trainers are keen to know the key issues on a topic and to be able to fit this in to busy clinical and educational schedules.  A reflection form is also provided on the page and can then be added to a trainers continuing professional development log. 

The initial resources feature the senior leaders within the Medical Directorate of NES who will introduce who they are and their areas of responsibility and interest. 

Further videos are in production on other educational aspects of the trainer role.  It is hoped that these will be useful and stimulate further interest in these topics. 

As with all of the aspects of the Trainer Development Collaborative we are keen to receive your feedback and your suggestions for topics which would be of benefit to trainers.  If you have any suggestions for future conversations please send them in to nes.tdc.admin@nes.scot.nhs.uk