The Importance of Scenario-Based Training

Yesterday, I enjoyed working with some of Pacific Echelon Protective Services's new security officers. I have participated in many training sessions and experienced the joy of effective training and the frustration of inadequate training. Whatever the topic, practical, realistic, growth-building, scenario-based training is critical to the success of any training program.
A few overarching principles will allow your students to learn effectively:

1. Approach each student like a puzzle. From the moment you shake their hand or say hello, as their instructor, you can begin evaluating them by learning about their strengths and weaknesses. Suppose you have someone who is more cautious and afraid to make a mistake. In that case, you will need to approach that student and the scenario entirely differently than a confident, experienced student.

2. Focus on realistic scenarios focused on your students’ professional development. I have participated in many unrealistic scenarios designed to make the student lose for the instructor's pleasure. If more scenario training revolved around teaching the basics and focused on student growth, it would significantly impact our industry.

3. Take the scenarios seriously. I have seen many golden learning opportunities squandered by instructors, actors, or students unwilling to understand the importance and value of this type of training. Cultivating an environment that values the significance of scenario training and emphasizes the importance of the lesson is paramount.

I passionately believe in scenario-based training and have witnessed its impact on students. When conducted correctly, scenarios can provide invaluable experience and develop practical patrol skills that cannot be learned by simply reading a manual in a classroom.