In a context where non-formal education is becoming increasingly important, professionals from various fields are turning to training to enhance their impact in the workplace. This is the case for Williams Hereu and Juan Burghi, quality analysts and auditors at the National Meat Institute (INAC), as well as for Carolina Bartesaghi, academic training manager at the Uruguayan Institute of Technical Standards (UNIT).
The three students—who decided to pursue the Master’s in Training of Trainers to transform their practices and contribute to the development of their respective sectors—shared the journey that led them to pursue the graduate program, as well as their motivations and what they’ve learned.
A master's degree that opens up new opportunities
The commitment to the development of Uruguay's meat industryFrom an educational perspective, this was one of the main reasons that led Williams Hereu to enroll in the Master’s Program in Trainer Development. “This sector is one of the most important pillars of the national economy, and to boost its growth and competitiveness, it is It is crucial to have robust training programs“well-structured and with a long-term vision,” said the quality analyst and auditor at the National Meat Institute.
For that reason, he was looking for a comprehensive training program that would enable him to design training plans “tailored to the specific needs of the meat industry” and implement metrics that “measure the impact of these programs on reducing human error on the production line.”
Although the graduate program isn’t over yet, the feedback has been “very positive” so far: “One of the most valuable aspects has been learning to identify training needs more accurately, which has helped us develop training programs that truly improve work efficiency and quality.”
In addition to his role at INAC, Hereu teaches in the Department of Public Health at both the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Engineering at the University of the Republic. His experience in the Master’s Program in Training of Trainers has also allowed him to advance in the fields of instructional design and strategic management of educational projects.
Has the graduate program also expanded your career opportunities? “It has allowed me to establish myself as a leader in training within my field,” Hereu explained. Along with Juan Burghi—a colleague at INAC who is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Trainer Education—they are the only veterinarians in the country with training and experience in educational management at this level, he noted.
“This opens up the possibility for us to collaborate on more complex and strategic projects across the entire meat supply chain. It has also provided me with a valuable network of contacts among other education professionals, which is key to professional development,” he added.
With that in mind, Hereu would advise professionals in non-formal education who are considering pursuing the Master’s in Training of Trainers to “go for it without hesitation.” The reason is that the program “offers comprehensive and practical training tailored to the needs of the non-formal education sector.”
Without a doubt, the master's program has expanded my opportunities, not only in terms of knowledge but also by strengthening my professional profile.
Williams Hereu
“It’s an excellent opportunity to acquire new tools, improve teaching practices, and manage training projects with a more professional approach,” he concluded.
Training to step outside your comfort zone
With 25 years of extensive experience in the field of training, Carolina Bartesaghi decided to enhance her professional profile by pursuing a Master’s degree in Training of Trainers. Her current role as academic training manager at the Uruguayan Institute of Technical Standards (UNIT)—an organization dedicated to the standardization and certification of products and services—motivated her to seek specialized training that would complement her practical experience in management.
The chemical engineer felt it was time to acquire the skills needed to innovate in training programs and respond to the sector’s changing demands. “If you want to start thinking about different structures or step outside your comfort zone, I feel we need other tools. That’s why I decided to pursue the master’s degree,” she said.
Although the program also covers topics related to formal education, Bartesaghi decided to pursue the graduate program because he knew he would “find many points of overlap.” And while there are differences (such as the structure of formal education, to give one example), there are several shared concerns.
Toward the end of the program, he noted that the Master’s in Trainer Development had“really broadened his horizons”and that there was no doubt it had “contributed a great deal” to him. There are certain concepts that, at times, cannot be directly applied to the institution where he works, but which have nonetheless helped him understand “what can and cannot be done” in terms of trainer development.
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The intense pace of his work and the master’s program has not yet allowed him to sit down and figure out how to apply much of what he has learned. However, he keeps a notebook of the points and ideas he would like to revisit and explore further once he has completed his studies.
For example, when it comes to technology in education. While he noted that UNIT’s degree programs are “successful” and have offered distance learning programs for some time, he found the topic “interesting” and believes it still has room for growth.
In fact, as part of her final graduate thesis, she is researching the teacher training needs of a non-formal education institute, with a specific focus on online training.
Aware of the effort and dedication required, Bartesaghi admitted that her initial plan was to complete the Diploma in Trainer Development and assess whether it truly added value. Ultimately, she decided to move forward, and today she is on track to complete the Master’s in Trainer Development. Although she acknowledged that it is “a major challenge,” the graduate program inspired her to“think differently about training.”
Practical applicability in the professional field
“When I started working in the field of education, I realized it was something I felt comfortable with, that motivated me, and where I could see that I could better express my potential”, said Juan Burghi, who currently works as a quality analyst and auditor at the National Meat Institute.
Since late 2021, together with Williams Hereu, they have been coordinating training sessions for butchery workers throughout Uruguay, with the aim of “raising industry standards” and “providing the sector with a skilled workforce.”
Over the years, however, Burghi realized that he was not only interested in teaching but was also passionate about developing educational programs. And although his technical background was in the biological sciences, he understood that it was time to develop his skills from an educational perspective in order to make a“significant and sustainable impact.”
Without a doubt, the education provided by the Master’s program will give me a more comprehensive background, allowing me to focus on training programs that are technically sound and have a significant impact on the meat industry.
Juan Burghi
The graduate program has met Burghi’s needs: “It has helped me develop my skills in designing and implementing training programs and educational initiatives.”
Above all, however, it emphasized practical applicability, achieved through training needs assessments and the design, implementation, and evaluation of training programs. Specifically, it has been able to address the training needs of workers in the meat industry and the domestic market.
That is why he is optimistic about the future. The student believes that he will be able to continue honing his skills in practice, using the tools provided by the master’s program, in order to “develop training programs that have a positive impact on the target group and lead to improvements over time.”
In closing, Burghi concluded that it is “a very useful master’s program,” which provides essential tools for those who “plan to pursue a career in training instructors and developing training plans and initiatives.”
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