The transformative value of professional development. Research into consultants’ perspectives regarding training and consultancy

This study is based on an analysis of professional development program proposed by a training center located in the North of Italy. Twenty-four trainers and/or consultants were involved in a 24-hour training program based on methods and techniques inspired by Experiential Learning in an outdoor setting. This research connects the literature on and practice of Organizational Development in the field of training and consultancy with the Transformative Learning theory. Under this frame, 14 participants were interviewed to collect qualitative data about training/consultancy perspectives in order to develop and administer a Training Perspectives Questionnaire to a wider sample, according to a mixed methods approach. The paper presents the results of the first qualitative part.