I completed IFC's Facilitating Learning: Online and In-person course facilitated by Shilpa. I have also worked with Shilpa in a professional capacity. I can say that she is not just one of the finest facilitators who knows the nuances of the subject matter but more importantly how to put it across. She is an astute professional who takes her work very seriously and plans all her activities well in advance. She is more than flexible to go that extra mile to help you in your learning process. Anyone wanting to learn the skills of being a good facilitator should attend the Facilitating Learning: Online and In-person course facilitated by Shilpa.

I successfully completed IFC's  "Facilitating Learning: Online and In Person” Program. I am overwhelmed to write this, I have learned so many things that will lead me towards becoming a good facilitator and effective transfer of knowledge.

Our trainer Shilpa Vasavada is not only a good trainer but a very good motivator. She is a great coach and guided us throughout the learning cycle. The learning from this training program not only helps in conducting in-person and online training but also implementing projects, working with the community, and in personal life. From need assessment, to creating a learning environment, effective content delivery, debriefing, and time management all are addressed throughout the course.

The use of different tools for the successful organization of online training, webinars, and meetings was one of the most important things learned through this course. The learning was not only to change Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge but it addressed Confidence and Commitment through practicing. Of course, handholding and support are some of the USPs of Shilpa Vasavada. Earlier I also attended one in-person training course on "Gender, Institution and Women leadership" facilitated by her. The training was in three phases and her support continued till we got clarity in each area. Moreover, she connected all the dots so beautifully that I was able to understand why this training was needed for me, and what was most important in it for me, felt confident about it, and applied that in my work. 

She always extends her support whenever you needed. Anyone interested in becoming a better facilitator and spreading knowledge effectively can join this course "Facilitating Learning: Online and In Person” facilitated by Shilpa Vasavada.

Shilpa Vasavada is truly a Master Trainer!

She is knowledgeable about the content, fully prepared before the class, an excellent facilitator, an encouraging motivator, and a willing coach. She unhesitatingly put in extra hours to build the confidence of her course participants. Her class management skills are flawless. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learned a whole new structured methodology and vocabulary for enhancing learning during a session. I also learned a lot just by observing Shilpa's facilitation style. She willingly helped me learn the behind-the-scenes preparation for a professional outcome. The feedback she gave us during the class and personally helped me understand which areas I needed to work on. Her constant encouragement motivated me to try to do better.

I am enthused to use the new learning and skills I have acquired in my work. I look forward to becoming an excellent facilitator someday.

I joined this course with a lot of apprehension as I have very limited technical skills. However, thanks to Shilpa, it was an enjoyable learning experience for me. Her facilitation skills and art of making everyone feel comfortable were very reassuring. It made me realize that it was ok to fumble as long as one was willing to learn from one's mistakes. I admire her knowledge and skills in managing each 1.5-hour session with such confidence. Her planning of the session, timekeeping, clarity of what was to be achieved, engaging us with different activities, and exhibiting different tools and techniques were simply amazing. The sessions reflected her sincerity, and hard work and motivated us to do our homework and not to skip any session. Though firm, she was quite patient and gave us time to grasp the contents. She created a very positive learning atmosphere, encouraging us to learn from each other. At times when I was overwhelmed with some of the tools and techniques, she conducted one-on-one coaching sessions for me, without bothering about her time which I admire. Her detailed and constructive feedback on my practice sessions was very valuable. Not everybody has the art and skills to provide such feedback. It is carefully worded, pointing out the mistakes and providing suggestions without belittling or offending the receiver. The program made me reflect, unlearn, and learn many aspects of training. I hope I can practice the learning and become a better facilitator. Even though we have completed the course, we continue our practice sessions and learn from each other and Shilpa. 

I think irrespective of whether you are a novice or an experienced trainer, you should take this course with Shilpa. It provides a great learning experience and helps one grow as a facilitator and coach. 

I've known Shilpaben personally for quite some time, but my recent professional experience with her during the "Facilitating Learning - Online and In Person" course was truly enlightening. Shilpaben proved to be an exceptional master trainer, dedicated to ensuring thorough understanding among all participants. Her commitment extended beyond the classroom; she was readily available whenever we needed assistance during or even after the course.

The most valuable insight I gained was Shilpaben's emphasis on integrating training concepts into our daily lives to become effective trainers. If you're looking to hone your training skills, I highly recommend the "Facilitating Learning: Online and In Person" course led by Shilpa Vasavada.

Shilpa has been a great facilitator, mentor, and guide to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and gained a structured methodology and vocabulary to enhance learning sessions. Simply observing Shilpa's facilitation style was a learning experience in itself. She generously shared insights into behind-the-scenes preparation for professional outcomes. Her feedback during class has personally guided me in areas needing improvement, while her constant encouragement motivated me to strive for excellence.

After a year of joining the course and wanting to leap ahead, I again sought her help and guidance which she readily accepted and supported me in brushing up my skills. Very few can handhold their trainees and course participants repeatedly for a rebound.

She possesses deep knowledge of the content, meticulously prepares before every class, excels as a facilitator, motivates with encouragement, and willingly coaches her students. Shilpa goes above and beyond by investing extra hours to boost the confidence of her course participants, demonstrating flawless class management skills. These are the exact skills that I look forward to attaining under her guidance.

I have completed the course "Facilitating learning: online and in person" under the mentorship and facilitation of Shilpa Vasavada in the year 2022. As we work in the development sector, we are working towards change. Bringing change is inevitable to lead the organizations and community toward their goal of a just and equitable society. To perform this task, one has to be dynamic, reflective, motivated, and inclusive. However, we talk about these values many of the time but do not practice them. In the training facilitated by Shilpaben, I did not just got to learn about facilitating learning within the community but also started reflecting on my approach and way of interacting with people and issues.

Shilpa Vasavada is not just an outstanding trainer, but she also helped us keep educating on the minute practices during offline and online interactive sessions with participants. Her input on facilitating the discussion whether in the community meetings or at the organizational meeting helped me to grow as a professional and also helped me effectively communicate the issues well to the community and the organization as well.

I could not be more thankful to her for possessing the skill of integrating this facilitation skill into my professional and personal life. The patience and dynamism one needs to have to work for change is my important reflection during this journey of FOL training with Shilpa.

Even after the course, she has provided us the platform to keep growing and learning through her collaborative efforts with each participant!

Ms. Shilpa Vasavada was the key resource person for the training of community mobilizers (Water Security + Livelihoods) on facilitation skills in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan.

She has been very thorough in her preparation and put great efforts into understanding the concept of water security 2-3 weeks before the Training. She developed her understanding of key aspects and moments of community interaction and key talking points. The module was well-designed, and the practice sessions were greatly integrated with the project.

The training was focused on key Adult learning principles and their importance in our communication with communities in the field. The participants got to practice through multiple mock and feedback sessions designed around the cycle of learning in 4 phases (1. Establishing link, triggering interest, introducing topic; 2. Conducting activity, 3. Debriefing with open-ended questions; 4. Summarizing and action points). 

The training was a great learning experience for all the participants. We plan to have training periodically for the team members.

She has also been engaged with our organization in the delivery of training on different subjects to government staff. Her approach of summarizing every session ensures greater retention for the participants. Her methodology is relevant for all categories including field-level community mobilizers, NGO professionals, and government officials. 

Ms. Shilpa Vasavada has been a faculty member for my FLO course and stands out as one of the most seasoned trainers, combining deep knowledge with exceptional articulation and clarity of delivery. Her presentation techniques reflect a thoughtful blend of methodologies that encourage interaction, experience-based questioning, and effective handling of complex situations. 

Her guidance during the video preparation stage was particularly valuable in curating content that seamlessly integrates conceptual understanding with experiential learning. Ms. Vasavada is highly respected as a faculty member, consistently mentoring participants to build confidence and explore the transformative potential of training.

[Submitted by Jyoti Dar] Shilpa Vasavada was not just my instructor, but a superb guide and mentor throughout the Facilitating Learning Online and In-Person Program. In the development sector, we continually strive to change behavior and measure impact through capacity-building activities. I have been tasked with developing materials and delivering training on gender sensitization and financial literacy. I joined the training to learn how to assess the needs of my audience, develop effective training materials, and conduct successful training sessions. Shilpa helped me fill every gap in my training abilities, while making the program so interactive and engaging.

Coming into the program, little did I know that it would be so enriching and a complete eye-opener. Shilpa’s exceptional training skills took us effortlessly through the learning cycle, every time helping, supporting, and encouraging us while we participated in activities or created videos. Shilpa’s stories, especially, brought home every concept lucidly and embedded it in my mind, such that today I feel confident in applying for the Master Trainer Certification. She is a Master Trainer par excellence. I am so fortunate to have trained under her.

I had the opportunity to attend the Facilitating Learning: Online and In-Person Trainer Certification course under the guidance of Shilpa Vasavada, and it was an excellent learning experience. Through the course, we learned and practiced how to design impactful sessions, encourage learner participation, manage time effectively, and stay focused on key takeaways — both in-person and online.

Shilpa is a very detail-oriented and insightful trainer.  She has a remarkable ability to simplify complex facilitation concepts and make each session engaging and practical. What I valued most was Shilpa’s feedback. She pays attention to the smallest details, highlights both strengths and areas for improvement, and offers clear, actionable suggestions that truly help you grow as a facilitator. 

I would highly recommend this course under Shilpa’s facilitation to anyone who wants to strengthen their skills in creating interactive and impactful learning experiences, whether online or in-person.  

My first interaction with Ms. Shilpa was during a one-day workshop on Gender Integration with School Teachers, followed by another insightful session on Developing Field Facilitation Skills for Menstrual Hygiene Management. It has truly been a pleasure to work with her and participate in her workshops.

Ms. Shilpa has an exceptional ability to connect the dots, regardless of the target audience. Her modules are thoughtfully curated, well-aligned, and thoroughly structured. By the end of every training, there is always a clear and actionable takeaway, which reflects the depth and purposefulness of her facilitation.

Her ability to capture attention and sustain engagement throughout the session is remarkable. She leaves no stone unturned in reaching out to participants, drawing insights from them, and ensuring that learning is both meaningful and reflective. Her presentation style is crisp, coherent, and effectively designed to guide participants towards clear conclusions and practical outcomes.

She pays meticulous attention to both content and pedagogy, ensuring there are no gaps. This leaves not only the organizers but also the attendees deeply satisfied with the experience.

We look forward to being part of many more workshops and trainings with her. Ms. Shilpa is truly exceptional at what she does.

My association with Ms. Shilpa Vasavada has been for the past ten years, where I have been a participant in her workshops initially, and later have scheduled many for my organization. We have done a few on "Gender Integration in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene" and Gender Integration in Agriculture. She is truly prudent in what she does. Her conviction in her craft is amazing, and there's always something new to take away from every workshop conducted and attended.

She is curious and methodical in her skills. And the participants are after the workshop are always left with thought-provoking and what they can do better in their respective fields. Her facilitation skills are amazing, and she keeps herself well updated with the current skills and requirements.

I recently attended the Facilitating Training: Online and In-Person workshop with Shilpa in September, and it was truly an enriching experience. The training helped me understand the finer nuances of what it takes to be an effective and impactful trainer.

Shilpa is an incredibly engaging and energetic facilitator. She created a comfortable space where everyone felt encouraged to participate and share openly. She made the sessions lively, interactive, and deeply insightful.

The course helped me learn about different learning styles, practical techniques to keep participants engaged, and how to ensure that key learnings are clearly imparted. I walked away feeling more confident and equipped, and I’m grateful for the experience.

I would highly recommend Shilpa to anyone looking to strengthen their facilitation skills.