Training and development specialists help plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.
Training and development specialists typically do the following:
Training and development specialists help create, administer, and deliver training programs for businesses and organizations. To do this, they must first assess the needs of an organization, and then develop custom training programs that take place in classrooms or training facilities. Training programs are increasingly delivered through computers, tablets, or other hand-held devices.
Training and development specialists organize or deliver training sessions using lectures, group discussions, team exercises, hands-on examples, and other formats. Training can also be in the form of a video, self-guided instructional manual, or online application. Training may be collaborative, which allows employees to connect informally with experts, mentors, and colleagues, often through the use of technology.
Training and development specialists may monitor instructors, guide employees through media-based programs, or facilitate informal or collaborative learning programs.
Training and development specialists held about 327,900 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of training and development specialists were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 13% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 12 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 11 |
| Finance and insurance | 10 |
| Administrative and support services | 7 |
Training and development specialists spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities. They may need to travel to training sites.
Most training and development specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Training and development specialists need a bachelor’s degree, and most need related work experience.
Training and development specialists need a bachelor’s degree. Specialists may have a variety of education backgrounds, but most have a bachelor’s degree in training and development, human resources, education, or instructional design. Others may have a degree in business administration or a social science, such as educational or organizational psychology.
Related work experience is important for most training and development specialists. Many positions require work experience in areas such as training and development or instructional design, or in related occupations, such as human resources specialists or teachers.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates with previous work experience in the industry in which the company operates, or with experience in e-learning, mobile training, and technology-based tools. However, some employers may hire candidates with a master’s degree in lieu of work experience.
Many human resources associations offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations, including the Association for Talent Development and International Society for Performance Improvement, specialize in training and development and offer certification programs. Although not required, certification can show professional expertise and credibility. Some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, and some positions may require certification.
Training and development specialists may advance to training and development manager or human resources manager positions. Workers typically need several years of experience to advance. Some employers require managers to have a master’s degree in a related area.
Analytical skills. Training and development specialists must evaluate training programs, methods, and materials, and choose those that best fit each situation.
Communication skills. Specialists need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires collaboration with instructors, trainees, and subject-matter experts. They accomplish much of their work through teams. Specialists must communicate information clearly and facilitate learning by diverse audiences.
Creativity. Specialists should be creative when developing training materials. They may need to think of and implement new approaches, such as new technology, when evaluating existing training methods.
Instructional skills. Training and development specialists often deliver training programs to employees. They use a variety of teaching techniques and sometimes must adapt their methods to meet the needs of particular groups.
Median annual wages, May 2020
The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $62,700 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,900, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,060.
In May 2020, the median annual wages for training and development specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $73,690 |
| Finance and insurance | 65,860 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 64,610 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 57,280 |
| Administrative and support services | 55,400 |
Most training and development specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Percent change in employment, projected 2019-29
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employees in many occupations are required to take continuing education and skill development courses throughout their careers, creating demand for workers who lead training activities.
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow in many industries as companies develop and introduce new media and technology into their training programs. Innovations in training methods and learning technology should continue throughout the next decade. For example, organizations increasingly use social media, visual simulations, and mobile learning in their training programs. Training and development specialists will need to modify their programs in order to fit a new generation of workers for whom technology is a part of daily life and work.
Because training and development contracting firms may have greater access to technical expertise in order to produce new training initiatives, some organizations outsource specific training efforts when internal staff or resources are not able to meet the training needs of the organization.
Overall, job opportunities should be good. Job prospects should be best for those with experience developing online and mobile training programs.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2019 | Projected Employment, 2029 | Change, 2019-29 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Training and development specialists |
13-1151 | 327,900 | 356,100 | 9 | 28,200 | Get data | |
For more information about training and development specialists, visit
Association for Talent Development
International Society for Performance Improvement