Skip to main content
Business Training and Development Specialist
Hourly Rates up to Jobs Available
$65 37,200+

What Does a Training and Development Specialist Do?

If you want to help people do their jobs better, consider a career as a training and development specialist.

Also called training coordinators or training specialists, trainers help other employees gain new skills and knowledge. They design, plan and run training programs to help improve business performance.

Training programs vary by organization, from new employee orientation to management training to technology that changes how work gets done.

Training specialists assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees and by talking to managers. They use the best training approach for the topic and the audience, which may include classroom instruction, audiovisuals, role-playing or individual computer sessions. Training can be in person, online or a hybrid of the two.

Flexibility is the key. In order to coach different types of people, training specialists must figure out how each person learns.

If this sounds like you, keep reading to learn more. 

A training and development specialist leads a focus group
A good training and development specialist is likely to be a ‘people person,’ as the majority of a specialist’s time is spent working directly with employees, either in person or online. (Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

  • Assess organizational or individual training needs
  • Create training materials 
  • Deliver training programs online or in person using different learning methodologies
  • Set up equipment and training space
  • Lead group discussions
  • Evaluate effectiveness of the program and adjust as needed
  • Schedule classes and complete other administrative tasks

How To Become a Training and Development Specialist: FAQs

The bottom line:

Many successful trainers like teaching but want to do so outside of a traditional school environment. If you share that desire and have a passion for helping others succeed, this could be the career for you. It’s an opportunity to help an organization improve while working directly with employees. If this sounds like a good fit, check out the training opportunities near you. 

'You need to have an outgoing personality and be able to connect with people,' said Mia Luchins, a training and development specialist.

Why I became a training coordinator

Mia Luchins had planned to work in academia. Instead, she took a detour and got into training and development.

"It was time to go into the real world, so I took what I knew with the help of my mentor and used it to go into a field I love," she says.

Mia's personality and communication skills have been fundamental to her success. She helps clients understand and utilize technology.

"It wasn't until after college that I realized I had years of job experience that would help me find my first job as a training coordinator."

Find out more about why she loves being a training and development specialist.

Find Training and Development Specialist Training In Your Area

Salt Lake City

Human Resources Professional (Online) Certificate of Completion

The Human Resources Professional course prepares you for a career in human resources. This course explores the foundational aspects of HR, including...
3 females using AI, looking at a computer

Grow with Google AI Essentials

Whatever your chosen career, generative AI tools may help you speed up daily tasks, make more informed decisions, and develop new ideas. This course will teach you how to reap those benefits.

Learn More
Indianapolis

Business Administration - Human Resources Management Certificate

Completion of the Human Resources Management Certificate leads to preparation for Human Resource Certification, employment and/or completion of an...
Indianapolis

Early Childhood Education - Early Childhood Administration Certificate

The Early Childhood Administration Certificate provides the credential that early childhood administrators need to support early learning programs...
Tampa

Human Resource Management College Credit Certificate

The human resource management certificate prepares you for positions in human resources and labor relations. Learn to serve in administrative support...
Miami

Early Childhood Education - Administrators, A.S.

The Early Childhood Education Associate in Science degree program provides the student with appropriate coursework in one of three tracks: Preschool...
Miami

Early Childhood Education - Administrator College Credit Certificate

This is a College Credit Certificate with a specialization in Child Care Management. The purpose of this program is to prepare students as early...
Sanford

Instructional Design Certificate Technical Certificate

The Instructional Design Certificate at Seminole State is tailored for educators, trainers and other professionals. This 15-credit, online program...
Griffin

Child Development Specialist Certificate

The Child Development Specialist TCC is a sequence of five courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early...
Archbold

Human Resource Management, A.A.S

An environment that is very fast-paced and dynamic requires human resource professionals who are able to help manage a productive and efficient...
Tacoma

Human Resource Specialist Certificate

Designed for students preparing for a career in Human Resources. This certificate is for individuals who are in the workforce and are returning to...
Dublin

Early Childhood Education Administrator Certificate

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments...
Bolivia

Early Childhood Education Administration Certificate

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments...
Bolivia

Early Childhood Education Administration Certificate (Online)

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments...
Charlotte

Early Childhood Administration Certificate

Our curriculum prepares you to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. You will combine theory with...
Not sure about this job?
Find your match with our career quiz.

Need help reaching your goals?

Explore our Financial Resources page for scholarships, FAQ answers and student support services.

Explore More