So far we've looked at the basic principles of training and assessing, and the processes involved in designing programs. But we haven't covered some of the more subtle responsibilities of professional trainers.

These include:

• creating an environment that promotes effective 'learning' - that is, an atmosphere of safety and encouragement for the learner
  
  
• 'facilitating' the process of learning for people who are acquiring new skills on the job at their own pace, as opposed to attending an organised training course
  
  
• providing literacy and numeracy support to learners who may not have the 'core skills' needed to undertake the training successfully
  
  
• ensuring that all workplace health and safety requirements have been met, both at a legislative and company level, and that any identified risks have been properly controlled
  
  
• ensuring that other legislative responsibilities have been met, such as the learners' right to privacy, and their protection from harassment or discrimination.

In this section we'll cover these functions that support the process of training and assessment, and are a central part of every trainer's professional responsibilities.