As we work toward fulfilling our vision to build a place where the GxP and non-commercial training community can learn, interact, and share content with each other, the Life Science Training Institute (LSTI) has reached another milestone. Last month, we completed a successful initial partnership with the Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (LTEN) and Merck Polytechnic Institute (MPI), led by LTEN Board member John Constantine, to develop and deliver educational tracks specifically for GxP trainers. To say the end result was a success would be an understatement.
LSTI engaged with LTEN (traditionally an association for commercial trainers only) as non-commercial trainers have long lacked any sort of networking, learning, and collaboration resource. To change this, we developed six educational sessions for LTEN’s 2016 Annual Conference specific to GxP trainers. Topics ranged from moving beyond “retraining” as a response to human error observations to training more effective methods for Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and the resulting Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPA). All six tracks were very well-received, and we had an initial attendance of just shy of 100 GxP trainers, which far-exceeded our expectations. Some of the highlights:
- On the first night, we held a wine reception exclusively for the GxP attendees, providing valuable networking opportunities. The conversation was lively and ideas were exchanged freely. Many commented that this initial gathering “made the trip worth it.”
- Prior to the inspirational keynote address from CNN’s Mel Robbins, Mary Myers, president of LTEN, announced the tracks which brought several commercial trainers into the GxP sessions. These traditionally sales and marketing trainers were able to offer perspective and advice from “their side of the table.”
- The sessions themselves – They were, in a word, fantastic. Each group of presenters was able to share their collective experience in collaborative ways with real-world case studies and best practices. Each session was well attended and the anecdotal learning from the audience was as impactful as the presentations themselves.
Again, we cannot thank our partners LTEN and Merck enough for their support. Most importantly, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the attendees who joined us for this inaugural event. We hope you can join us for LTEN 2017 in Nashville on June 5-8 where we will be expanding our offerings, reach, and resources for non-commercial trainers.
If you have questions about the LTEN event or general questions for us, feel free to contact me. We hope to see you next year in Nashville, June 5-8, 2017!
John Clifton is director of training development for Life Science Training Institute. Email John at jclifton@lifesciencetraininginstitute.com.
