Participant Comments - Goverment
"This was an excellent introduction to ADR, with the approach being interactive, easy to understand and logical. The fact that the workshop was interactive and not a series of lectures were enjoyable. I also liked the opportunity to practice the elements and the principles we were learning. The vast experience of the instructors allowed for a productive four day course. The instructor was able to teach and while making sure to answer questions and interject with true situations to demonstrate some issues. He was excellent."
Neela Maharaj, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The facilitators’ knowledge was tremendous. Very stimulating - a very worthwhile experience."
Veronica Belgrave, Public Management Consulting Division, Port of Spain, Trinidad
"The high level of participation accelerated learning. The role playing allowed you to experiment with the theoretical knowledge. You are guaranteed to learn using this method!"
Nicole Chapman, Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation, Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago
"I’ll be able to apply the techniques learned in the workshop to my job immediately."
Yvette Weekes, Trinidad and Tobago and Tobago Postal Corporation, Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago
"This was an excellent workshop. I definitely got my new toolbox today; It is great to come away with life skills and not just work skills. I enjoyed that the course was very interactive with lots of practical application of the principles. There was a clear impartation of the principles -– it was easy to understand. I felt at ease throughout the course and the extensive use of role plays was very effective for the practice and re-enforcement of the principles. The instructors were engaging and very effective in getting us to answer questions and identify how the principles could be applied. I’ll remember these lessons for a long time to come."
Paula Edwards, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"Could not been better. This programme certainly is an asset to my job and is becoming part of me and part of my personal life. The instructors were very efficient, well organized, well read and operated the course on time. I never had the opportunity to be bored. Well received!"
Elsa Gordon, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"This course can stand alone as a discipline, but when combined with a reasonable body of psychology-based information and skill it’s a whopper! I like the fact that all aspects of living can subscribe to this mediation process. Instructors - well done!"
Alden Friday, Board of Inland Revenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"This workshop was very useful. I would recommend it for all managers and supervisors. It helped with the notion of ‘win-win’ and focused on achieving common goals. Excellent presenters!"
Sandra Jones, Ministry of Health, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"I was allowed to apply the skills in mediation to situations rather than simply read about the concepts in a book. The structure of the course reminds me that mediation skills are required in all areas of life."
Nirmala Maharaj, Ministry of Education, St. Clair, Trinidad and Tobago
"The facilitators were very professional, very time effective and accommodating. The materials were very organized and the training was very effective and well prepared. The role plays really assisted in reinforcing the theory as we acted out the roles. The instructors were very effective, accommodating and knowledgeable in this field of study."
Marlene George-Mitchell, Ministry of Finance, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The course was fun and interesting, along with a learning experience. These are useful techniques for not only work, but for family disputes as well."
Hazel Martin, Ministry of Social Development, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"I did not have time to get bored – continuous learning through interactive process, role plays and feedback."
Diana Rutherford, Ministry of Education, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The structure, content and delivery were great! Very practical."
Glenford Joseph, Ministry of Education, St. Clair, Trinidad and Tobago
"The program exposed me to complex situations in mediation. Very controlled, no time was wasted. Very practical."
Angela Reneaud-Lewis, Ministry of Housing, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The information is well structured and well presented. The principles are well defined. The instructors were excellent."
Gisele Sampson, Land Settlement Agency, Ministry of Housing, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"Organization, timing and progress of course was planned to build and expand the knowledge base of ADR."
Dave Sahadeo, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and Tobago, Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago
"This workshop provided an opportunity for practical experience in utilizing the skills learned in the course. I liked the feedback provided by the coaches. Debriefs by instructors were always clear and helpful."
Andre des Vignes, Law Chambers, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The instructors were very good. They each bring unique strengths to the process, have good presentation styles and are engaging."
Rudyard Davidson, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"Participative and highly interactive. Outline for negotiation and mediation given and followed with adequate and supporting information provided. Role plays cemented topics discussed. Good summary at beginning and ending of sessions. I liked the various learnings and having the opportunity to observe and act out the various roles. Instructors were very familiar with the programme content and able to keep the interest of participants. Allowed and responded to questions if clarification was needed. Coach was excellent. "
Patricia Boyce-De Peza, Ministry of Local Government, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The workshop was well organized with good time management. The workshop really makes you re-think your approach to resolving difficult situations, not just in the workplace but generally as well, particularly in one’s family life. I liked the fact that the course began with the negotiation process and then gradually built up to the mediation stage. Instructors were very well prepared and open to questions. Each of the coaches I worked with was very good. They listened, did not intervene too much and provided a very good analysis of the debrief. It was a lot of fun and I did not feel as though it was work. "
Gisele Sampson, Land Settlement Agency, Ministry of Housing, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The structure and content was well organized and expertly presented. The cases were relevant and easily applied to other scenarios. Documentation and activities provided good opportunities to practice the skills and techniques presented in the course."
Leslie Dean, Ministry of Housing, Nassau, Bahamas
"The course not only provided techniques to be used within the workshop, but daily life too. The structure and role plays allowed participants to be fully integrated in learning."
Renee Mayers, Ministry of Tourism, Nassau, Bahamas
"A fantastic learning experience. I am challenged to approach conflict situations with a new confidence - – I now know how to, particularly in my personal and job situations. I liked the interaction of all the participants with their various backgrounds. The instructors were prepared and I liked their delivery of the material because the explanations and examples were those we could identify with. The coaches provided constructive criticism that allowed me to realize that in the process of mediation. Skipping one of the processes could be detrimental. Positive feedback was also provided, which made me realize that I can do it."
Jill Harriott, Board of Inland Revenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The workshop allowed me the opportunity to put my knowledge into practice. It has helped tremendously with the understanding of the principles, elements and process of ADR. The coach was dynamic and as such was able to identify strengths and weaknesses of the roles played out." Corine Tang, Board of Inland Revenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"Objectives for the course were very clear. The facilitators were very knowledgeable and their personal anecdotes helped ground the material in reality. All topics were covered – the foundation was properly laid. There was also valuable feedback from coaches. The coaches and instructors did not really teach as much as allow us to learn the relevant factors through examples, games and role play. Much more effective strategy than just lecture."
Alana Aguilera, Environmental Management Authority, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The hands on exercises were very instructional."
Valerie Hopkins, Social Welfare Division, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"I feel I can use all the material in both family situations and legal situations. I’m now more confident in dispute situations."
Alicia Chankar, Ministry of Housing, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
"The fact that I was able to internalize the information – even during the evening sessions – was important to me. My attention did not stray. I enjoyed the way in which the workshop was structured, when lectures were followed by role play. The instructors were very good and had the ability to give out the information clearly."
Lenore Samuel, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"This workshop has opened my eyes; At first I thought the role plays were not necessary, but actually being in them has opened my eyes and I cannot wait on the next negotiation – so the workshop did wonders! I hope that with each negotiation I will only get better. The instructor certainly knows his stuff."
Wendy Lackhan, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The instruction was quite good, with the appropriate mix of classroom lectures, reading material, and demonstrations. The role plays were quite effective in facilitating the learning. I also enjoyed the interactive instruction techniques."
Rudyard Davidson, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The workshop has provided the tools and techniques to deal with conflict and disputes in an organized fashion. There were many strong learning points. The course was well organized and well executed. Both instructors are excellent tutors and have been able to use a variety of techniques and examples in getting the lessons across to us. They encouraged a high level of participation by the very facilitative approach to transferred learning."
Eric Innocent Baron, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"I have received a set of skills that will enable me to negotiate and mediate in many conflict situations. I liked the practical approach of the workshop – we were shown how to approach the situations by the facilitator and then we were given the opportunity to practice what we had learned. I think that this approach helped crystalise what we were learning. The instructors knew their topics well and were able to draw out responses from us with open ended discussions. Their friendliness also assisted greatly in learning process"
Livingston Mayers, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The workshop was well structured and well prepared. I was provided with very useful tools and approaches for future use. I learned a lot from the workshop and was able to see that these lessons were applicable in situations at home, at work, or in handling difficult situations in general. The use of various role plays coupled with minimal lectures helped to keep me engaged throughout the course. It was at no time boring. I thought both instructors were very effective – able to communicate the course content and deliver the lectures so that I was able to easily understand the material. I thought that also the technique of alternating the two facilitators in the morning and afternoon was effective."
Myrna Thompson, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The workshop was well organized and well executed. Combination of lectures and active role plays gave a hands on approach, making it easer to apply to real-life situations. This workshop provided great information on life situations and options that can be exercised in the workplace and beyond. It also provided an opportunity for staff interaction in a non-confrontational, neutral setting. Instructors were effective, and by using anecdotes about their own experiences they became more approachable and more credible."
Natasha Ramnauth, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The facilitator had a thorough grasp on the subject matter and was a very good communicator. It was interactive and we received hands on experience."
Boswell John, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"The course gave a lot of food for thought and provided tools that could be used in personal interactions. Role playing gave everybody the opportunity to evaluate how they negotiate. Very good course with handy tips from the instructors."
Joy Lange Syriac, Ministry of Public Information and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"Participants had an opportunity for hands on experience. I liked the varied role play situations, which gave us exposure to different techniques and styles of mediation. Facilitators were helpful and were willing to answer all participant questions."
Natasha Ramnauth, Ministry of Public Information and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"This course was completely enjoyable. The coaches were very informative and useful. The examples used were very relevant and reinforced the role plays."
Natasha Barrow, Ministry of Public Information and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"This workshop was a good learning experience both in terms of material covered and interaction with other individuals. Also, it shows how important effective communication is and stresses teamwork. The role plays were refreshing and a mind opener, allowing us to think outside the box. I see this as a useful tool to be used at the office in particular. The instructor was effective, always there for questions, always willing to help and challenging participants. He makes you feel at ease."
Angela Lum Joseph, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"I liked the combination of role play and classroom instruction. The instructor was excellent."
Kenneth McKell, Ministry of Public Administration and Information, Trinidad and Tobago
"Brilliant! Very engaging! You got it right!"
Lisa Griffith, HR consultant, Country Fire Authority, Victoria, Australia
"Found the workshop extremely informative. The work reinforced some of my previous experience and expounded new dimensions. It certainly met my expectations. The instructors were very effective."
Tony Cianciosi, Australian Taxation Office Legal Unit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
