Training the Trainer: Become a CAPS Instructor

You invested in your business. You studied hard and now proudly hold your CAPS designation. You have already seen the rewards of this designation since you started working with and marketing to active adults who want to age in place. Now you want to share your story and your success with others and help them build their bottom line. But how can you give back to the industry?

Have you ever considered becoming a CAPS instructor? By becoming a CAPS instructor, you have the unique opportunity to help improve the skills of your peers. From your own experience, you know that earning the CAPS designation helped you become more successful in accessing the aging in place market – and now you can help others do the same. Sign up today for the University of Housing’s Train the Trainer course.

NAHB designed this one-day class for individuals who want to teach NAHB designation courses. During this course, participants will practice presentation skills and facilitation techniques. Participants will learn:

• Adult learning principles and how these principles impact training
• Techniques for engaging the learner in course content
• How to use questioning to facilitate earning
• How to facilitate interactive exercises
• Tips for using visual aids effectively
• How to incorporate the skills learned into the delivery of NAHB course materials.

The course has a high success rate. “We thoroughly enjoyed the course and would enthusiastically recommend it to even the most seasoned NAHB speakers. I learned some great tips that I used at my presentation in Las Vegas. I found the video training and review and the laptop presentation tips particularly valuable. It was an action-packed day” said Dan Bawden, CGR, CAPS of Legal Eagle Construction Co., Houston.

How Do I Become an Instructor?

First, sign up today for the Train the Trainer class at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, FL on Jan. 13. Register online at www.nahb.org/education.

Once you have signed up, prepare your pre-course assignment: a two-minute self introduction presented at the beginning of the class. At the end of the course, participants will demonstrate the skills learned during the class by presenting a five-minute segment of training materials to the group.

Remember: Sign up today, you do not want to be left out of this great opportunity. Because of the nature of material and interactive exercises, class size is limited to 10 students.

After you have successfully participated in the class, candidates must complete an Instructor Application Form to become an approved CAPS instructor. The instructor requirements include:

1. Be an NAHB member or an employee for an NAHB member organization in good standing non-members must include a waiver of the membership requirement from their sponsoring local association
2. Earned the CAPS designation
3. Candidate must provide a description of how their experience relates to subject matter of the course
4. Provide references supporting expertise in the subject matter
5. Successfully complete the NAHB University of Housing Train the Trainer course or evidence of NAHB instructor experience (measuring a 4.0 or better on a 5.0 point scale on the student evaluations)
6. Maintain professional standards of conduct

A subcommittee of the CAPS Board of Governors reviews the completed Instructor Application Forms monthly. The Board will notify candidates of their status in writing. To request an instructor application or for questions about becoming an approved CAPS instructor, contact Maria Alonso at malonso@nahb.com or 800-368-5242 x8154. [ return to top ]