What Does it Take to Be a Training or Development Specialist?
Job Description: Design and conduct training and development programs to improve individual and organizational performance. May analyze training needs.
Life As a Training or Development Specialist
- Select and assign instructors to conduct training.
- Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles.
- Coordinate recruitment and placement of training program participants.
- Present information using a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures.
- Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.
- Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen.
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Things a Training or Development Specialist Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Training and Development Specialists say are the most useful in their careers:
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Training or Development Specialist Job Titles
- Cyber Instructor
- Development Coordinator
- Employee Development Specialist
- Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist)
- Training Facilitator
Are There Job Opportunities for Training and Development Specialists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 282,800 jobs in the United States for Training or Development Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,500 new jobs for Training or Development Specialist by 2026. The BLS estimates 31,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Training or Development Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Training or Development Specialist
The salary for Training and Development Specialists ranges between about $32,950 and $102,740 a year.
Training and Development Specialists who work in Washington, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Training and Development Specialists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $60,280 |
Alaska | $49,310 |
Arizona | $61,460 |
Arkansas | $52,870 |
California | $73,040 |
Colorado | $72,210 |
Connecticut | $74,890 |
Delaware | $69,440 |
District of Columbia | $76,690 |
Florida | $57,100 |
Georgia | $64,420 |
Hawaii | $68,930 |
Idaho | $58,730 |
Illinois | $64,790 |
Indiana | $57,240 |
Iowa | $53,210 |
Kansas | $60,650 |
Kentucky | $54,240 |
Louisiana | $55,970 |
Maine | $54,360 |
Maryland | $67,420 |
Massachusetts | $75,270 |
Michigan | $61,090 |
Minnesota | $65,420 |
Mississippi | $55,590 |
Missouri | $61,210 |
Montana | $58,330 |
Nebraska | $58,740 |
Nevada | $60,700 |
New Hampshire | $66,330 |
New Jersey | $74,760 |
New Mexico | $56,520 |
New York | $69,910 |
North Carolina | $65,480 |
North Dakota | $59,830 |
Ohio | $59,540 |
Oklahoma | $54,640 |
Oregon | $65,740 |
Pennsylvania | $65,430 |
Rhode Island | $73,650 |
South Carolina | $58,010 |
South Dakota | $50,700 |
Tennessee | $59,460 |
Texas | $65,960 |
Utah | $54,480 |
Vermont | $65,860 |
Virginia | $72,320 |
Washington | $76,800 |
West Virginia | $50,640 |
Wisconsin | $55,070 |
Wyoming | $64,430 |
What Tools & Technology do Training and Development Specialists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Training and Development Specialists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
Becoming a Training or Development Specialist
Individuals working as a Training or Development Specialist have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Training or Development Specialist?
Where do Training and Development Specialists Work?
Below are examples of industries where Training and Development Specialists work:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Training or Development Specialist might also be interested in the following careers:
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education
- Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
Are you already one of the many Training or Development Specialist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Arunkumar Umapathy via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
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