Background: I'm the sole application developer working at a data processing company. Because of this, I have a pretty high "bus factor" and everyone knows it. Management is keen for me to pass some of my skills and knowledge on to other staff and it's obviously a good business decision.

However, there are two problems with this.

The first and most pressing is that the staff I'm being asked to train are underskilled. They're both long-term database developers who have, in their distant career background, worked with middleware and front-end technologies. But we're talking 10-20 years ago. I know from practical experience the knowledge shortfall is colossal.

To further complicate the issues, I am self-trained. Almost everything I've picked up has been on the job experience. I have no idea how to go about structuring people's training in a useful way. Nor, for that matter, how to learn how to do so.

I have voiced these concerns to management, who have said that they're happy so long as I try my best. They want to see me provide training meetings, technical documentation, learning material, that sort of thing. I will not be judged on how effective my methods are, so long as I attempt them. This seems reasonable.

However, I'd obviously like to try my best to make my time and effort on this worthwhile for all involved. Where on earth can I start learning how to train when I'm not a trainer, have never been trained, and my pupils are way under the standard required?

Background: I'm the sole application developer working at a data processing company. Because of this, I have a pretty high "bus factor" and everyone knows it. Management is keen for me to pass some of my skills and knowledge on to other staff and it's obviously a good business decision.

However, there are two problems with this.

The first and most pressing is that the staff I'm being asked to train are underskilled. They're both long-term database developers who have, in their distant career background, worked with middleware and front-end technologies. But we're talking 10-20 years ago. I know from practical experience the knowledge shortfall is colossal.

To further complicate the issues, I am self-trained. Almost everything I've picked up has been on the job experience. I have no idea how to go about structuring people's training in a useful way. Nor, for that matter, how to learn how to do so.

I have voiced these concerns to management, who have said that they're happy so long as I try my best. They want to see me provide training meetings, technical documentation, learning material, that sort of thing. I will not be judged on how effective my methods are, so long as I attempt them. This seems reasonable.

However, I'd obviously like to try my best to make my time and effort on this worthwhile for all involved. Where on earth can I start learning how to train when I'm not a trainer, have never been trained, and my pupils are way under the standard required?

EDIT: After making "hot questions" I can see three outstanding answers here. No idea which to select. I may have to take a few weeks to see which set of suggestions works best. Thank you for all your useful advice.