A motivated learner will learn. That makes sense, right? YMCA employees who are motivated to learn are likely to do better, and retain more information, than trainees who are not motivated by the desire to learn. As YMCA trainers, we know we need to inspire our YMCA employees to want to learn the materials we’re teaching. And we know our employees are empathetic, caring people who work long hours and probably don’t make a ton of money. The question then, is: How do we motivate them? This article is going to explore four simple suggestions for motivating Y trainees.

Y Employees Are Part Of Something Bigger
When you work at the Y, you’re not just a lifeguard or the person who checks in members at the front desk—you’re part of a bigger cause to strengthen the community around you. Ys around the world strive to create a work culture built on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and staff help to create an environment where everyone aspires to be their best. It’s well known that giving back to others makes you feel better and gives you a sense of belonging. When you work at a YMCA, helping others is part of your daily life. YMCA employees know this when they accept their jobs but, as trainers, it certainly never hurts to remind them during class sessions. Specifically, incorporate the message that Y staff are committed to strengthening the community by providing programs that support mind, body, and soul. YMCA staff are working together toward the greater good.
What’s in it for me?
Many trainers spend countless hours working on their presentations but not enough time motivating YMCA trainees to learn the necessary materials. Some trainers (not great YMCA trainers, but some) think their job is to teach, not motivate. But they’re wrong because trainees need to know why they’re learning these materials and how it will make them better at their jobs. It’s not selfish to want to know “what’s in it for me?”—and, in fact, it could very well be that employee’s way of motivating himself or herself to learn. A motivating environment gives new YMCA employee trainees a sense of responsibility and achievement and creates opportunities for personal growth, all while recognizing and rewarding the trainees for their efforts and success. The best Y trainers know how to make trainees connect to the course content. This can be done with real-life scenarios and interactive exercises in which learners are asked to work through issues they are likely to face at work. There’s no better way to show trainees “what’s in it for them” than to describe a real situation in which they will be able to use what they’ve learned in your class.
Set Clear Expectations
Start the session by laying out exactly what you’re going to cover and what you expect from everyone taking the course. If you think of training as a two-way street, you’ll motivate your trainees to learn and see positive outcomes. Trainees may be nervous in the beginning but once they have a better idea of what to expect, they’re more likely to dive in and learn what you set out to teach. Along the same lines, make sure they know how to navigate the course. This may be especially important if your course is taught online and you have some less-than-computer-savvy people enrolled. The last thing you want is for anyone to become frustrated because they don’t know what button to click to submit test answers. Instead, if you present easy-to-follow instructions, they’ll not just learn the materials, they’ll learn a new computer skill as well.
Reward Your Learners
We’re all motivated by rewards, so one way to motivate new YMCA employees is to think of a prize you can give them. If you can build the reward into the course, even better. This could include in-class competitions, levels of achievement, or tangible items like a new YMCA T-shirt or hat. Never underestimate the power of words of encouragement and smiles—they increase learners’ self-esteem and make them feel good about being in training. Whether you give out prizes in the form of merchandise or encouragement, the point is to connect with the trainees and make them feel good about what they’re learning.
You already know you can’t force a new YMCA employee to learn—but by tapping into the employee’s motivation, you can create an environment that is conducive to learning. All you need to do is figure out what motivates the new Y employees you teach, and use that in your course. The techniques you choose to motivate your learners will depend on the course content and your available resources, but keep in mind that the point is to find something that encourages your new employee trainees to learn. Remember, a motivated learner will learn.

4 Ways To Inspire Your YMCA Employee Trainees