Training is an essential component of any business. A carefully crafted and well-thought-out training program educates employees and provides them with a better understanding of the company’s processes, procedures, and goals. Training also is crucial for providing employees with the correct tools to be effective in their roles. In today’s fluctuating world of business, the need for high-quality, comprehensive training programs continues to rise. Training and development specialists are tasked with creating, planning, and administering training programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees. Given how much influence they have in the success of their company, a training and development specialist is an exciting role to pursue.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, Lasallian Catholic institution offering in-person and online programs for adult learners. Our academic institution is a great place to start for those wishing to become training and development specialists. Our B.S. in Human Resource Management degree completion program equips students with the required knowledge and skills to be successful as training and development specialists. Discover more about the role, including responsibilities, needed skills, and job outlook.
Choose
from seven bachelor completion degree programs
B.S. in Accounting
B.S. in Applied Psychology
B.S. in Business Administration
B.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership
B.S. in Healthcare Management
B.S. in Human Resource Management
B.S. in Information Technology
What Does a Training and Development Specialist Do?
The primary job of a training and development specialist is to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees through certification programs, technology-based courses, and workshops while keeping up with the latest trends in training and development.
Training and development professionals assess the need for training programs through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and similar resources. They also communicate with managers, instructors, and customer representatives. Training and development specialists also are tasked with creating, organizing, and implementing various forms of onboarding, orientation, and skills training for employees and customers. Their role includes creating training manuals, guides, and course materials.
Training programs typically are presented using various formats, such as group discussions, lectures, videos, and simulations. Training and development professionals also must maintain records of all training activities, attendance, and results of tests and assessments to better evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives. The role also requires preparing and implementing a training budget, as well as maintaining records and reports of any training expenses.
Skills Needed for the Position
To be a successful training and development specialist, an individual must possess a certain set of skills, including:
Communication Skills
The ability to convey and receive information effectively and respectfully is crucial for someone tasked with training and development. Training and development specialists must be able to communicate with employees, managers, and others using several channels and modes, such as written, verbal, visual, and digital. Training and development specialists also must communicate with employees to understand their limitations and make suggestions for improvement.
Analytical Skills
Training and development professionals must be able to collect, process, and interpret data to make informed decisions regarding employee training. A training and development specialist will be required to conduct various types of analysis, such as task analysis, learner analysis, and cost-benefit analysis. These analyses are important in identifying learning requirements and objectives. Someone in this role should have the skills to measure and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of training programs.
Facilitation Skills
Facilitation skills refer to the ability to lead, guide, and support learners during the training process. Being able to create a healthy and engaging learning environment, motivate learners, manage group dynamics, handle questions and feedback, and adapt to learning challenges is crucial for training and development professionals.
Job Outlook and Compensation
In addition to the exciting nature of the role, many individuals pursue a career in training and development because of the positive job outlook for training and development professionals are needed at companies and organizations in all industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of training and development specialists will grow 6% through 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Another advantage of being a training and development specialist is compensation. The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $63,080 in May 2022. This is well above the median annual salary for all occupations. Furthermore, choosing to pursue a career as a training and development specialist may lead to several other high-paying positions based on experience and additional training.
Begin Your Journey at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Qualified training professionals are in high demand. To pursue this profession, one must possess the proper skills and knowledge, which can be acquired through the online bachelor’s degree completion program in resource management offered at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The accelerated bachelor’s degree program educates students on critical aspects of the role and equips them with the tools they need to successfully pursue their dream job.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has campuses in Minneapolis and Rochester, MN, and has online programs to allow working professionals to further their education on their own time. Anyone wishing to enroll in the program can apply or request more information today.