Training specialists are typically part of a company's human resources department. Their main responsibility is to facilitate the development of an employee’s skills through proper training. A bachelor’s degree is usually enough for many positions, though some training and development jobs require a master’s degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 217,930 training and development specialists in the United States as of May 2012, earning an average yearly salary of $59,560.
Training of New Employees
A training specialist reviews the qualifications of newly hired employees and often administers tests to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the results, a training specialist can determine how to acclimate the employee to the business. The training specialist determines what training the employee needs to develop the right skills and knowledge for the job.
Development of Training Programs
A training specialist is in charge of developing training programs to improve the performance of the company as a whole. She oversees production of training materials such as manuals, course materials, videos and other tools. She also schedules in-house or field programs where employees participate in activities designed to boost their workplace performance, such as team building exercises or seminars.
Evaluation
A training specialist should keep records on the impact of existing training programs and determine what, if any, improvements should be made. He must regularly review the records of training sessions for employees and analyze whether the sessions have helped workers improve their performances. He might also meet with employees to answer any questions or concerns arising from training or workplace activities,
Report to Management
A training specialist meets with management regularly to report on the progress of training programs and address any issues that arise. She also updates management on whether the training budget is adequate, and suggests areas where more resources are needed. In addition, the training specialist stays abreast of new trends and tools in the area of employee development, and lets management know whether the company needs to update its training programs with new features.
