AirLift!™ | Teamwork Training Activity

• Stresses the need to break a task down into component parts
• Tests whether teams can maximise their use of resources
• Illustrates the need for a logical approach to problem-solving
• Shows the need for team members to keep each other informed
• Sharpens teamwork towards an objective and against a tight deadline

In this hands-on training activity, teams must coordinate an airlift of tents, food and medicines, in various combinations and quantities, to eight isolated villages after a devastating earthquake. Special crates must be prepared, packed with the correct supplies (represented by coloured blocks), labelled – and loaded into the cargo hold.

If teams don’t match their chosen route with the order in which crates go in the hold, then supplies will be dropped to the wrong villages. The cargo hold is jam-packed so there’s only one way to pack it – and limited fuel prevents any re-routing of the flight! Having solved all aspects of this tough problem, teams fill in their pilot’s log and their solution is assessed. Computer program included but not essential – can be scored manually.

1. Divide the participants into teams.
2. Introduce the activity using the PowerPoint presentation.
3. Issue the Team Briefs, Pilot's Log, Cargo hold, wood blocks and other resources.
4. Allow teams 60 minutes for the task.Observe teams in action but do not get involved in assisting them in the task.
5. After 60 minutes, collect a Pilot’s Log from each team and score their route. NOTE: you can do this using data in the Trainer's Notes or using the computer program option.
6. For all to see, for each team, check routes against the order of crates stored in the hold and the crate contents. Is it all viable?
7. Issue the short Questionnaire, designed to help teams review their performance.
8. Lead a debrief. Ask teams how they tackled the problem - then issue the results. Extract all the key lessons that emerged and discuss how they can be transferred back to the workplace (re communication, organisation, maximising resources and minimising waste, delegating according to skills and generally working together as a united team).

Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.

• Trainer’s Notes
• Computer Program (for optional use - internet access required)
• Trainer's PowerPoint
• Trainer's Routes Table
• Trainer's Ref - Example of Completed Cargo Hold
• Team Briefs & Map
• Pilot's Chart
• Pilot's Log
• Cargo Holds
• Team Questionnaire
• Wooden Blocks x4 sets
• Resources: Card, Scissors, Rulers, Sticky Tape

This activity is for face-to-face classroom use. It is supplied as a hard copy pack and the digital files are supplied via the Northgate Trainerhub.

Our licence offering is designed to provide exceptional value and flexibility for your organisational training needs.

Upon purchase, each Northgate activity includes a five-year licence for repeat use, with up to a maximum number of delegates per training session. The maximum number of delegates for this activity is 24 per licence. This grants you the freedom to use the activity repeatedly, with the specified maximum number of delegates, for five years.

All Learning and Development (L&D) professionals based at the same site (or
‘remote hub’) as you are granted access to these resources, including to the digital files on the Trainerhub via your site-specific Trainer Dashboard, fostering a collaborative spirit within your immediate team.

Should you wish to make this activity available to a wider audience within your organisation, additional licences are required. We understand the varying needs of different organisations and aim to provide flexible options to suit your requirements.

For further information on our licence terms, please contact us. We are here to assist you in enhancing your training initiatives and ensuring a seamless and hassle-free licensing experience.