What Does a Training and Development Specialist Do?

The educational background of development specialists varies. Most companies look for a combination of information technology skills, work experience and an understanding of the industry where the training is needed. Some organizations prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree. 

Many community colleges offer two-year programs and specialized training courses. Areas of specialization include training and development, human resources, education, management science or instructional design.

All trainers need to learn leadership, how to work with different types of people and how to draw in employees who don’t think training is a priority.  

Experience in e-learning, mobile training and technology-based tools is beneficial. Graphic design skills are a plus when creating training programs. 

Certification is usually not required but it may open up new opportunities. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) and International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) offer many options. Some common certifications include Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP).

Trainers are needed everywhere, from corporations to government agencies to smaller businesses.

Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for trainers will grow 8% from 2021 to 2031. That breaks down to about 36,500 openings for trainers every year during that decade.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect
• Good instructional skills
• Organized and able to set priorities
• Creative
• Flexible
• Good critical thinking skills

This career has a moderate impact from AI since e-learning platforms and virtual trainers are growing. AI personalizes learning paths and tracks progress. Specialists remain important for designing content and motivating learners.