Training and Development Specialist

Your Fit

Income

$66K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

6.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Training and Development Specialist?

A Training and Development Specialist designs and implements training programs within organizations. They assess training needs, develop curriculum, and conduct training sessions to enhance employees' skills and knowledge.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Training and Development Specialist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Training and Development Specialist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$38K per year	$49K per year	$66K per year	$92K per year	$120K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $16K above the national average.

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What does a Training and Development Specialist do?

Work environment

Training and Development Specialists work in a variety of settings, including corporate offices, factories, healthcare facilities, and government agencies. Their role often involves a mix of office work and hands-on training, and may require travel to different locations for conducting workshops or sessions.

Quick task list

Assesses training needs through surveys, interviews, and consultations with managers.
Designs and creates training manuals, online learning modules, and course materials.
Delivers training sessions to employees.
Evaluates the effectiveness of training programs and makes improvements.
Stays up to date with the latest training methods and tools.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Corporate Training: Focuses on training employees in corporate settings to enhance their job performance.
Technical Training: Specializes in training employees on specific technical skills or software.
Leadership Development: Concentrates on developing leadership skills among management and potential leaders.
Compliance Training: Ensures employees are trained on legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
E-Learning Development: Involves creating and managing online learning programs and materials.

Description

Training and Development Specialists are pivotal in fostering a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. They analyze the training needs of an organization and develop programs to meet these needs. Specialists must understand various teaching methods and learning styles to create effective training materials, such as manuals, online courses, and hands-on workshops.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as specialists interact with employees at all levels, from new hires to executives. They must be adept at presenting information clearly and engagingly.

The role is dynamic and requires staying abreast of new trends in training and development, including technological advancements in e-learning. Specialists play a key role in improving employee performance, job satisfaction, and overall organizational efficiency through targeted training initiatives.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a tangible impact on employee development and organizational success.
Variety in work tasks, including creating, implementing, and evaluating training programs.
Opportunities for continuous learning and staying updated with educational trends and technologies.

You might make a good Training and Development Specialist if you are...

A strong communicator, capable of effectively conveying information and engaging diverse audiences.
Creative, with a knack for designing engaging and informative training materials.
Organized and able to manage multiple training initiatives simultaneously.
Passionate about continuous learning and personal development.
Tech-savvy, comfortable with using and teaching various software and online platforms.

Pros:

Opportunities for creativity in designing training programs.
High level of interaction with a variety of people.
Constant learning and personal development.

Cons:

The need to constantly update skills and knowledge can be challenging.
Balancing the diverse learning needs of a wide range of employees.
Can involve travel and irregular hours depending on the organization's needs.

How to become a Training and Development Specialist

Typical education

Typically, a bachelor's degree in human resources, education, organizational development, or a related field is required, amounting to about 4 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Psychology to understand learning styles and motivation.
Education or teaching courses to gain foundational skills in instruction.
Computer science or technology courses to be proficient in digital tools.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining or leading student organizations to develop leadership skills.
Participating in public speaking or debate clubs to enhance presentation skills.
Volunteering as a tutor or mentor to gain experience in teaching and training.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in human resources, education, organizational development, or a related field.
Seek internships in training and development to gain practical experience.
Consider certifications in training and development, instructional design, or a specialized area like e-learning.

More resources

Association for Talent Development (ATD) - Offers resources and certifications for training professionals.
Training Magazine - Provides insights and trends in training and development.
eLearning Industry - A hub for e-learning resources and best practices.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) - Focuses on integrating technology into education and training.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.