Employee Training Specialists

Employee training specialists plan and organize instructional activities.

Employee training specialists conduct orientation sessions for new employees. They also arrange on-the-job training for employees.

Employee Training Specialists are in the Business, Management, and Administration career cluster and the Human Resources Management pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Pay varies with the worker's experience, education, and level of responsibility. It also varies with the type, location, and size of the employer.

Employee training specialists usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
• Training and Development Specialists

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 4,434 employee training specialists work in this medium-sized occupation.

Employee training specialists work in almost every industry.

Major employers:

• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Business management companies
• Insurance companies

Outlook

Growth will be due in part to the increasing complexity of many jobs. Employee training specialists will be needed to provide job-specific training programs. Competition for personnel jobs will remain strong. There are many qualified college graduates and experienced workers who would like to work with people.

Employment Outlook for Training and Development Specialists

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Minnesota	4,453	5,470	1,017	22.8%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	242	298	56	23.1%
Northeast Minnesota	148	174	26	17.6%
Northwest Minnesota	221	277	56	25.3%
Southeast Minnesota	253	319	66	26.1%
Southwest Minnesota	145	166	21	14.5%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	3,414	4,175	761	22.3%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Employee training specialists plan and organize instructional activities.


The first day on the job makes nearly everyone nervous. You depend on the money you make to live, and you want to do a good job. Thankfully, most companies offer training before you officially start your job duties. Some companies have employee training specialists, people who make sure you learn new skills and understand your job so that you can succeed. And, if things change – say, you switch to a new kind of computer – they can help you learn the new system as well.Employee training specialists conduct orientation sessions for new employees. They also arrange on-the-job training for employees. For new employees, they organize courses that will teach them the skills they need for their jobs. For current employees, they set up courses to help them maintain their skills. They also set up courses to prepare workers for jobs that require more skill, such as a management position or even an executive job. They may work for their own firm or under contract with other companies.

Program development is an important part of the job for training specialists. They identify and assess training needs. They do this by talking to managers and supervisors. Trainings may cover employee skill improvement, leadership development, or reducing environmental impact at work. Specialists also periodically evaluate training programs. They assess the training materials developed by course instructors. In addition, they assess the quality of the teaching done by instructors. Instructors who do not meet standards take classes to improve their teaching skills.

Because training specialists organize and supervise training programs, they have many administrative tasks. They hire instructors and assign them to courses. They make sure instructors have all the materials they need to lead their courses. This includes lecture materials, handouts, and other visual aids. They also develop activities to help trainees and employees learn, such as group exercises, role-playing, and discussions. In addition, they schedule when and where classes will be taught. They might set up online trainings to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact. To help instructors be consistent in their teaching procedures, specialists develop manuals and guides for them to follow. Many employee training specialists also teach classes and conduct training themselves.

Another major administrative task is to monitor the effectiveness of the training programs. Thus, specialists maintain records about which training courses employees take. They write reports about the effects of training on employees. They also monitor the cost of training. Specialists make sure they stay within their budget, and write reports about where they spend their money. They may present these reports to their supervisors or talk to them about training programs.

New training techniques are constantly being developed. Thus, training specialists must keep their knowledge of these techniques up to date. They attend meetings and seminars to learn about new ideas. They also read magazines and journals.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Screen, hire, and assign workers to positions.
• Learn about new training methods. Use computer-based training to save time and energy.
• Assign instructors to courses and help them get training materials.
• Create, plan, and conduct orientation and training for new and existing employees.
• Develop training programs for workers on skill building, leadership development, recycling, ways to reduce environmental impact, and other topics.
• Schedule training classes.
• Evaluate instructor performance. May suggest classes for instructors who need to improve their skills.
• Talk to supervisors or conduct surveys to identify training needs. Create alternative training materials if other methods are unsuccessful.
• Monitor training costs and prepare budget reports.
• Evaluate the success of training and write reports summarizing findings.
• Develop manuals and guides about training procedures.
• Meet with clients and managers to discuss training programs and goals. If working for a third party, negotiate contracts.
• Evaluate training materials prepared by instructors.
• Recommend trainees and employees to services, such as job placement assistance, if needed.
• Keep skills up to date by reading journals, books, and magazines.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Teach others.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Coach others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Use computers.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Think creatively.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Schedule work and activities.
• Develop and build teams.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Document and record information.
• Develop goals and strategies.
• Guide, direct, and motivate subordinates.
• Provide advice and consultation to others.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a medium to high level of social contact. They spend most of the time working with other employees.
• Are responsible for the work done by the instructors they hire.
• Write letters and memos daily.
• Communicate with coworkers daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Work as part of a team. This is important because they coordinate the training needs of management and employees.
• Often speak in front of groups of people.
• May deal with unpleasant or angry people.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of those they hire and train.

Physical Work Conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work near other people, but have a few feet of space separating self from others.

Work Performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work so that employees are well-trained.
• Repeat the same tasks during the day. This is somewhat important when using the computer to prepare schedules and reports.
• Can set most tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines.
• Make decisions weekly that strongly impact the company and staff.

Hours/Travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week.
• May travel to training sites and conferences.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit while doing administrative tasks.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as an employee training specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED; and
• have a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Employee training specialists often have a bachelor's degree. Common majors are personnel or human resources management. Education and business are other good choices.

You should take courses in performance appraisal and training and development. Courses in business and in social and behavioral sciences are helpful. As in other fields, computer skills are important.

Work experience

Employers often promote skilled workers to training specialist positions. They look for people with good writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.

An internship is a good way to gain experience.

On-the-job training

As a new hire, you begin by assisting experienced trainers. You help prepare training materials, set up classrooms, and observe sessions. You gradually assume more duties until you are planning and presenting sessions on your own. On-the-job training may last up to one year.

Military training

The military trains people to be training specialists and instructors. Training lasts two to 14 weeks, depending on the specialty.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
• Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services, Other
• Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
• Human Resources Development

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Adult and Continuing Education Teaching
• Business, General
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Human Resources Management
• Labor and Industrial Relations
• Organizational Behavior
• Public Administration

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

Education level attained	Percentage of workers in this occupation*
Less than high school diploma	2
High school diploma or equivalent	13
Some college, no degree	23
Associate degree	9
Bachelor's degree	38
Master's degree	13
Doctoral (Ph.D.) or professional degree	2

* National data for training and development specialists (SOC 13-1151).

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Communications
• Computer Applications
• Journalism
• Psychology
• Public Speaking

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Read and understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Think of new ideas and original or creative ways to solve problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify ways to measure and improve system performance.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Determine how a system should work. Study how changes in conditions affect outcomes.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with People

• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and Visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.
• Communications and Media: Knowledge of producing, sharing, and delivering information or entertainment. This may be through written, spoken, or visual media.
• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.
• Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of the department that is in charge of the relationship between a company and its employees. In particular, includes knowledge of the activities performed by the department.
• Clerical: Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information.
• Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of the behavior, customs, and origins of groups of people.
• Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of advertising and selling products and services.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.
• Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Tools & Technology for Training and Development Specialists

Tools

Desktop computers Laser printers Liquid crystal display projector Liquid crystal display LCD projectors Notebook computers Laptop computers

Overhead projectors Overhead display projectors Personal computers

Technology

Access software Citrix software Charting software Microsoft Office Visio Computer based training software Adobe Systems Adobe Authorware Adobe Systems Adobe Captivate Adobe Systems Adobe Presenter Alchemy Systems SISTEM Articulate Rapid E-Learning Studio Beeline Learning Management System LMS Blatant Media Absorb LMS Brainshark Rapid Learning Cobent Learning and Compliance Suite LCS Computer Generated Solutions Learning Management System EZ LCMS Eedo Knowledgeware Eedo Force Ten ElearningForce JoomlaLMS FlexTraining Total e-Learning Solution G-Cube Solutions Wizdom Web LMS GeoMetrix Data Systems Training Partner Halogen eLMS ICS Learning Group Inquisiq EX Ikonami AT-Learning Tool Inspired eLearning iLMS Intelladon Enterprise Knowledge Platform EKP Intelligent Information Conversion Technologies MeritScholar Intellum Rollbook Learn HQ Activate LMS Medworxx Learning Management System Mzinga On-Demand Learning Suite NetDimensions Enterprise Knowledge Platform EKP OnPoint Digital OnPoint Learning & Performance Suite Operitel LearnFlex PRO-ductivity Systems Compliance Training Manager Web Pathlore LMS Plateau Learning Management System LMS Qarbon ViewletBuilder Professional RISC Virtual Training Assistant Right Reason Technologies RightTrack SkillSoft SkillPort SumTotal Systems ToolBook SumTotal Systems TotalLMS Telania eLeaP Learning Management System LMS/LCMS The Human Equation InSite LMS TrainCaster LMS TrainOnTrack Learning Management System LMS Upside Learning UpsideLMS Xerceo Learn Xyleme Learning Content Management System LCMS Ziiva Prosperity LMS dominKnow Learning Center techniques.org knowledgeWorks LMS

Data base user interface and query software Microsoft Access MySQL software Desktop publishing software Microsoft Publisher Document management software HP TRIM software Interwoven software Electronic mail software IBM Lotus Notes Microsoft Outlook Enterprise resource planning ERP software Oracle PeopleSoft Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software Internet browser software Web browser software Office suite software Microsoft Office software Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint Project management software Microsoft Project Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel Video conferencing software Cisco Systems WebEx Microsoft NetMeeting Web page creation and editing software Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player Web platform development software Hypertext markup language HTML PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor Word processing software Microsoft Word

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

No certifications are found for this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Employers usually seek college graduates to fill entry-level jobs in personnel. Many employers prefer applicants with a degree in human resources or personnel administration. Others look for graduates who have a teaching or business background. Many employers prefer graduates who have work experience from an internship.

Employers look for a combination of experience, education, and management skills. Employers seek training specialists who can speak and write well.

Advancement Opportunities

Employee training specialists may advance to organizing larger training programs. This often means transferring to new employers. In companies that have large training programs, specialists may become managers or supervisors. Some specialists may join consulting firms or open their own businesses.

Job Title Examples

E-Learning Developer,  Management Development Specialist,  Technical Trainer,  Trainer,  Training Coordinator,  Computer Training Specialist,  Job Training Specialist,  Corporate Trainer 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Employee Training Specialists you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Adult and Vocational Education Teachers
Education Administrators
High School Teachers
Human Resources Managers
Instructional Coordinators
Office Managers
Psychologists
Sales Managers
Sales Worker Supervisors
University and College Teachers

Similar Military Careers

Below are similar military careers you may be interested in reading about. Click on the names to link to their career description.

Personnel Specialists
Training Specialists and Instructors

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Employee Training Specialists you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Employee Training Specialists. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Banking And Finance
Business Management And Support Services
Engineering, Accounting, And Architecture
Hospitals
Insurance
Professional And Consulting Services
Social Services And Counseling
Software And Computer Services
Telecommunications
Utilities
Wholesale Trade

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.