Delivering an effective training program takes creativity along with communication skills and the ability to adapt teaching methods to a particular audience. Training and development specialists plan and conduct programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge. These specialists often begin developing a program by assessing needs through surveys, interviews, and meetings with managers. Taking what they learn, they develop curriculum, manuals, videos, or online applications. They may include different formats to engage learning through group discussion and team activities, and often follow up their training with evaluation to improve for the next session. Training and development specialists increasingly develop tools and materials for use on computers and tablets. Administrative tasks are also common, such as scheduling classes or webinars, setting up equipment, and taking registrations. Training and development specialists work in nearly every industry— from healthcare and finance, to education and government. They spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities. They generally work full time, during regular business hours. Training and development specialists need a bachelor’s degree and work experience in a field such as training, human resources, teaching, or instructional design. A master’s degree may take the place of work experience.
What they do:
Design and conduct training and development programs to improve individual and organizational performance. May analyze training needs.
On the job, you would:
Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives.
Design, plan, organize, or direct orientation and training programs for employees or customers.
Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
management
Communications
multimedia
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
understanding people's reactions
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
use rules to solve problems
Attention
do two or more things at the same time
pay attention to something without being distracted
Memory
remember words, numbers, pictures, or steps
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
Cooperation
Dependability
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
Integrity
Attention to Detail
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer based training software
Adobe Systems Adobe Captivate
Articulate Rapid E-Learning Studio
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Visio
Web platform development software
Hypertext markup language HTML
JavaScript
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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