Abstract:

This paper reports on a study of the instructor development model that is used in The Bridging the Gap (BTG) Implementation Strategy. The BTG strategy is a component of the Canadian
 Rural Partnership's Model for Rural Development and the Capacity Building
 Initiative. BTG programs were conceived to provide new employment opportunities for
 individuals residing in rural communities in Canada in a wide range of business fields. They utilize community partnerships and link industry with community organizations to find meaningful workplace
 opportunities, both for employers and unemployed workers.

The study of how instructors are prepared to deliver the BTG strategies was undertaken to look more carefully at the instructor development philosophy (Learning To Be Wise). It gathered views on the manner in which trainers respond to rural development challenges, how instructors are prepared to integrate various deliver component and services, and also collects view of the perceived successes as reported by organizers and trainers.

This paper reports on the (1) strategy 
used
 to
 collect data, the (2) findings of the study, and (3) recommendations that emanate from the findings. It also provide a view of (4) how a
 community based instructor training approaches have evolved in general, (5) how they have
 affected the delivery of rural training focused programs, (6) the
 adjustments to the approach to the BTG model that were found to be needed, and (7) proposes an instructor development template that may be useful in preparing instructors that would engage in rural training development
.

Lastly, the paper explores those factors that 
should
 be reviewed by instructional planners when training programs are conceived and developed for small industry seeking to train workers in rural
 settings. As such the information of the paper may be useful to instructors
 who are involved in designing and delivering training education to 
individuals who reside in
 rural settings where the more formalized school and institutional based training programs are not present.

Keywords:

Bridging The Gap From Education To Employment, Btg Initiatives That Promote More Meaningful Employment In Rural Settings.