Training of Coaches in Armenia paves the way for supporting refugees to build Employability and Entrepreneurial skills

From the 7^th - 9^th February, coaches from two partner agencies Mission Armenia and Partnership and Teaching attended a training on the SHUTTLE approach provided by Action Against Hunger in Yerevan. This workshop provided the coaches with information related to the innovative approach that has been designed by Action Against Hunger to support the development of personal and professional skills of unemployed and vulnerable people who are looking to find a job or start a business. This training workshop was financed under the project “Providing multi-sector assistance to support the immediate and longer-term needs of refugees from Nagorno Karabakh” funded by the European Union and aimed at equipping the coaches with the essential knowledge and skills to support refugees from Nagorno Karabakh who will soon be attending the four-month SHUTTLE program. Immediately following the training, Mission Armenia will establish SHUTTLEs in 4 of their centres in Yerevan and Ararat and Kotayk provinces and Partnership and Teaching in their centre in Goris in Syunik. Already over 220 refugees have applied to join.

The training provided the coaches with both theoretical and practical training on the approach and was delivered by Action Against Hunger’s Social Inclusion Manager, Lela Maisuradze, who was supported by business consultant and former SHUTTLE coach, Silva Mesropyan who spoke extensively about the methodology and her experience of running SHUTTLEs in Armenia.

Over the three days, the coaches developed their skills in regard to planning and organizing the SHUTTLE sessions, including how to orient the content to ensure that the support provided to SHUTTLE participants is relevant, beneficial, and effectively communicated. The SHUTTLE approach is participant-driven, and the coaches were supported in how to guide participants through the learning process to address their support needs. The coaches were also provided with a handbook on the methodology, with dozens of ideas for group and individual exercise that they can use with future participants.

The coaches also had the opportunity to learn from Kristine Tatosyan who spoke about her experiences, first as a SHUTTLE participant and then as a coach. Kristine’s insight from both sides of the fence added to the training as she gave perspectives on the aspects of the program which she found to be the most useful as a SHUTTLE participant. Additionally, Kristine offered guidance on how the lessons from her time in the program have been incorporated into her work as a coach.  Her continued involvement with the SHUTTLE program displays the willingness of many participants to continue engaging and improving the program long after they have left.

In the final session the coaches discussed all of the program topics which they have studied over the course of the 3-day training. Through these discussions the coaches were able to share their perspectives on the training with their colleagues, while having the opportunity to seek further clarifications about the program.

Upon completion of this training, the coaches were presented with certificates in recognition of their new status as certified SHUTTLE coaches who will soon be utilizing their skills to support and guide participants in their search for employment and greater self-reliance.