CyraCom is one of the few language services providers (LSPs) that offers an interpreter training program and ongoing interpreter education, coaching, and support. We’ve evolved our interpreter training to better prepare our interpreters to meet our clients’ needs, adapt to remote training, and improve interpreter retention through career growth opportunities.
How does CyraCom’s training program work?
Before training begins, potential employees must complete CyraCom’s interpreter hiring process, which includes:
- Prescreening: All CyraCom interpreters must be bilingual and have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Language Assessment: Recruits complete a three-part test to verify their existing skills
- Vetting: Passing a background check is the last step before training begins.
CyraCom regularly hosts in-person and remote training classes for our interpreters. Trainees receive the same level of training quality no matter the location with our standardized training program, which includes the same visual cues (posters) and materials.
Our intensive training course takes place over 10 days and covers many topics, including:
- Interpreter ethics and protocols:
- Providing accurate, error-free interpretation
- Maintaining impartiality, confidentiality, and transparency
- How to politely ask for clarification from session participants
- Best practices for interpreters:
- Delivering excellent customer service and professionalism
- Note-taking and short-term memory tips & tricks
- How to manage interpretation sessions and handle special calls
- Industry-specific terminology & scenarios:
- Healthcare
- 9-1-1
- Insurance
- Finance
- Hospitality
- Legal
CyraCom’s training program includes many activities and exercises to help new interpreters practice the skills they learn and become proficient in self-evaluations to improve quickly.
What are the most recent changes to CyraCom’s training program?
We recently updated our interpreter training handbook to reflect the latest best practices, practice exercises, and resources for interpreters. The updates also included more images for visual learners, more examples, and more reference additions.
Our most effective improvement has been expanding our training department for trainer development:
Training Assistant > Trainer-in-Ramp-up > Trainer > Senior Trainer > Training Supervisor
- Training Assistant: Training Assistants (TAs) support the trainer throughout the course and evaluate skills during interpretation practice sessions
- Trainer-in-Ramp-up: New trainers are called Trainers-in-Ramp-up, and they lead interpreters and TAs during on-site training classes with guidance from more experienced trainers.
- Trainer: Trainers lead interpreter training classes remotely and on-site, assessing constantly to ensure each graduation class only includes the most qualified interpreters
- Senior Trainer: Senior Trainers are experienced trainers who provide support and make training recommendations to Training Supervisors and Management
- Training Supervisors: Training Supervisors recommend updates to curriculum lessons and protocols.
How is CyraCom’s interpreter training different from other LSPs?
CyraCom tries to hire W2 employee interpreters instead of relying primarily on self-employed, 1099 independent contractors. This means we can lawfully train our employee interpreters to our standards and help them continue to improve with ongoing training.
In contrast, many LSPs primarily use an independent contractor 1099 model where each self-employed interpreter’s skills and abilities vary. LSPs are legally prohibited from providing compulsory training to help independent contractors improve.
Want to work with CyraCom’s qualified interpreters?
Contact us to set up a free language services consultation.
