ATI as the lead in extension in the country and with its commitment to innovate, transform and empower the extension system and its clients, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center I held the Learning Extension in Agriculture and Fisheries: Training of Trainers on Extension Delivery System for Newly Hired AEWs at ATI-RTC I, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. Twenty-six (26) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from different municipalities of Region I attended the five-day training.
The training aimed to equip the new AEWs with knowledge, skills, and attitude in becoming effective and efficient in the delivery of extension services to the clientele. This is an introductory course in agricultural extension, which is primarily intended to instill the foundational principle, philosophy, and concepts in extension among the participants and equip them with communication and presentation skills using appropriate techniques and materials. The participants also learnt about ATI's mandates and programs, standards and protocols in extension.
Each of the participants was required to deliver a topic through a microteaching activity to demonstrate characteristics of an excellent communicator and presenter. Three (3) of the resource persons of the training served as the panel of evaluators to critique and give insights on how the presenters will improve.
In addition, the participants had undergone e-learning course on Changing People's Lives through Effective Extension Delivery where they had the opportunity to improve their oral and written communication skills and how to facilitate a training session. Participants actively participated in the lecture-discussion, team-building exercise, workshops, practicum/microteaching, organized learning activities, and other participatory approaches.
