On 19 – 21 January 2016, two EXCELERATE training platform subtasks – Training the trainer and Ensuring impact and quality, officially kicked-off with a joint workshop. Hosted by ELIXIR-EBI at Hinxton, they brought together training representatives from 6 ELIXIR Nodes and from external organisations including BD2K, Data carpentry, Cold Spring Harbour and Intel. The first half of the workshop focused on the development of a Train the trainer programme specifically designed for ELIXIR trainers, taking inspiration from EMBL-EBI and Software/data carpentry initiatives; whilst the discussions during the second half reviewed current methods for assessment of training quality and impact, and the role of training in increasing ELIXIR impact more generally.
One major outcome of this workshop is the date of the Train the trainer pilot (a series of 6 workshops) launch in May 2016, further details for this first pilot will be announced shortly.