Fact: Employees who are engaged at work are happier, perform better, and stay on the job longer. Training and development managers play a big role in this dynamic: making sure that employees not only learn the skills they need, but also get the learning opportunities they want. These managers research topics, develop workshops and trainings, and give presentations. They may purchase materials from different sources, tailor them for the organization, and create some of their own. Running new employee orientations is often part of the job. A skilled training manager will conduct surveys, evaluate their programs, and keep tabs on leadership’s priorities to ensure their training efforts hit the target. Training materials and methods must be up to date; they may use distance learning systems or videoconferencing to reach employees at a distance. All while keeping a balanced budget. Training and development managers work in almost every industry. They almost always work full-time during regular business hours in an office setting. A bachelor’s degree, or sometimes a master’s degree, is required, in business administration, human resources, curriculum design, or a related field.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
On the job, you would:
Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
management
Math and Science
psychology
Basic Skills
using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
teaching people how to do something
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
come up with lots of ideas
use rules to solve problems
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Leadership
Initiative
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Presentation software
Caliban Mindwear HyperGASP
Microsoft PowerPoint
Computer based training software
Common Curriculum
Moodle
Web page creation and editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
SAFARI Video Networks eZediaQTI
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.