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Training and Development Specialists
Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.
Other titles employers use
Computer Training Specialist · Corporate Trainer · Job Training Specialist · Leadership Development Specialist · Learning and Development Consultant · Learning and Development Specialist (L and D Specialist) · Management Development Specialist · Trainer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures.
- Obtain, organize, or develop training procedure manuals, guides, or course materials, such as handouts or visual materials.
- Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts.
- Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
- Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives.
- Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, analytical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.4 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 78%
- High school or less 9%
- A two-year degree 9%
- A certificate or some college 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web platform development software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Video conferencing software
- Document management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Data base management system software
- Presentation software
- Video creation and editing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 48,300
- Job openings each year
- 4,280
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 48,300 | 4,280 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 45,770 | 4,260 | 21.1% |
| New York | 30,010 | 390 | 14.8% |
| Florida | 29,430 | 2,650 | 14.2% |
| North Carolina | 17,230 | 1,560 | 14.6% |
| Georgia | 15,740 | 1,410 | 13.0% |
| Virginia | 15,080 | 1,310 | 7.0% |
| Illinois | 14,510 | 1,240 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 14,070 | 1,210 | 6.4% |
| Ohio | 13,800 | 1,180 | 5.2% |
| Colorado | 13,770 | 1,250 | 15.1% |
| Arizona | 12,720 | 1,160 | 16.9% |
| Michigan | 10,380 | 880 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 9,640 | 850 | 10.9% |
| Washington | 9,530 | 1,000 | 16.4% |
| Tennessee | 9,500 | 880 | 19.5% |
| Missouri | 8,710 | 760 | 8.1% |
| Utah | 8,220 | 770 | 23.6% |
| Wisconsin | 8,160 | 710 | 7.5% |
| Minnesota | 8,070 | 700 | 7.5% |
| New Jersey | 7,710 | 660 | 6.1% |
| Indiana | 7,190 | 620 | 7.3% |
| South Carolina | 6,390 | 590 | 19.0% |
| Oregon | 4,860 | 430 | 12.2% |
| Kentucky | 4,850 | 420 | 7.8% |
| Oklahoma | 4,790 | 420 | 7.6% |
| Massachusetts | 4,500 | 390 | 8.2% |
| Connecticut | 3,900 | 340 | 8.6% |
| Kansas | 3,830 | 330 | 5.8% |
| Nevada | 3,680 | 340 | 18.7% |
| Iowa | 3,550 | 310 | 9.6% |
| Nebraska | 3,370 | 290 | 8.0% |
| Arkansas | 3,340 | 290 | 9.2% |
| Alabama | 2,970 | 260 | 8.0% |
| New Mexico | 2,630 | 240 | 12.9% |
| Mississippi | 2,410 | 220 | 13.1% |
| New Hampshire | 2,340 | 210 | 9.9% |
| Louisiana | 2,150 | 180 | 4.9% |
| Montana | 1,800 | 170 | 20.0% |
| Idaho | 1,590 | 150 | 17.8% |
| District of Columbia | 1,500 | 130 | 9.5% |
| Delaware | 1,260 | 110 | 7.7% |
| West Virginia | 1,240 | 110 | 8.8% |
| Rhode Island | 1,150 | 100 | 7.5% |
| Maine | 880 | 70 | 1.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 850 | 80 | 13.3% |
| Vermont | 710 | 60 | 10.9% |
| North Dakota | 660 | 60 | 10.0% |
| Alaska | 600 | 50 | 9.1% |
| South Dakota | 590 | 50 | 11.3% |
| Wyoming | 590 | 50 | 15.7% |
| Virgin Islands | 70 | 10 | −12.5% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,324
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 862
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
- Degrees each year
- 481
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 369
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Degrees each year
- 357
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 663
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Arizona
- Degrees each year
- 385
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Cornell University
- Degrees each year
- 273
- Admit rate
- 8%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Compare every college offering human resources management and services