Celebrating Excellence: Donna’s Training Wins Standout Session Set-Up Award

Donna’s Training has been recognised with the Standout Session Set-Up Award in the Allens Training Partner Awards — a fitting honour for a trainer whose attention to detail, care for her students, and passion for teaching shine through in every session she delivers.

“To be recognised and win this award is significant to me and my little business,” Donna says. “After many years of facilitating first aid training, I’ve taught so many individuals and families, and it’s advantageous to know those skills have helped save lives. People often stop me in the street to say thank you — that’s what keeps me doing what I love.”

Setting the Standard for Safety and Success

For Donna, preparation begins long before students walk through the door. Every course starts with a detailed setup that includes room layout, signage, equipment, technology, and all essential safety measures — from locating the first aid kit and fire exits to identifying evacuation points.

She also goes a step further by researching each client’s industry before the course, ensuring training scenarios are relevant to real workplace risks. “My goal is always to design training that’s relatable, engaging, and practical,” she explains.

Creating an Engaging and Inclusive Learning Space

From the moment participants arrive, Donna greets them with a smile and genuine curiosity about their roles and experiences. This helps her tailor discussions and create a comfortable, interactive environment where learners feel confident to participate.

Real-world scenarios and hands-on activities are central to her teaching. “When participants can apply what they learn to their actual work environment, it really sticks,” Donna says.

Accessibility is also a priority. She regularly contacts venues ahead of time to identify any access issues and, when needed, provides one-on-one or in-home training to ensure no learner misses out. “Everyone deserves the chance to learn — safely and comfortably,” she adds.

Continuous Improvement and Advice for Others

Donna constantly reviews student feedback to refine her sessions — enhancing engagement through practical exercises, relatable examples, and clear resources. Her advice for other trainers is simple but powerful:

“Be authentic, research your clients, and understand their goals. Tailor your training to meet their needs — and most importantly, keep it enjoyable.”