What Does it Take to Be a Training or Development Specialist?
Occupation 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
- Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen.
- Negotiate contracts with clients including desired training outcomes, fees, or expenses.
- Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles.
- Evaluate training materials prepared by instructors, such as outlines, text, or handouts.
- Supervise, evaluate, or refer instructors to skill development classes.
- Devise programs to develop executive potential among employees in lower-level positions.
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Training or Development Specialist?
Below is a list of the skills most Training and Development Specialists say are important on the job.
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.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Training or Development Specialist Job Titles
- Development Coordinator
- Training Coordinator
- E-Learning Designer
- Curriculum Developer
- Bilingual Trainer
Are There Job Opportunities for Training and Development Specialists?
There were about 282,800 jobs for Training and Development Specialists in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,500 new jobs for Training and Development Specialists by 2026. The BLS estimates 31,700 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Training and Development Specialists are Texas, California, and New York.
Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Training or Development Specialist Salary
The average yearly salary of a Training or Development Specialist ranges between $32,950 and $102,740. The median salary for this occupation is $60,870.
How much do Training and Development Specialists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Washington |
$76,800 |
|
District of Columbia |
$76,690 |
|
Massachusetts |
$75,270 |
|
Connecticut |
$74,890 |
|
New Jersey |
$74,760 |
|
Rhode Island |
$73,650 |
|
California |
$73,040 |
|
Virginia |
$72,320 |
|
Colorado |
$72,210 |
|
New York |
$69,910 |
|
Delaware |
$69,440 |
|
Hawaii |
$68,930 |
|
Maryland |
$67,420 |
|
New Hampshire |
$66,330 |
|
Texas |
$65,960 |
|
Vermont |
$65,860 |
|
Oregon |
$65,740 |
|
North Carolina |
$65,480 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$65,430 |
|
Minnesota |
$65,420 |
|
Illinois |
$64,790 |
|
Wyoming |
$64,430 |
|
Georgia |
$64,420 |
|
Arizona |
$61,460 |
|
Missouri |
$61,210 |
|
Michigan |
$61,090 |
|
Nevada |
$60,700 |
|
Kansas |
$60,650 |
|
Alabama |
$60,280 |
|
North Dakota |
$59,830 |
|
Ohio |
$59,540 |
|
Tennessee |
$59,460 |
|
Nebraska |
$58,740 |
|
Idaho |
$58,730 |
|
Montana |
$58,330 |
|
South Carolina |
$58,010 |
|
Indiana |
$57,240 |
|
Florida |
$57,100 |
|
New Mexico |
$56,520 |
|
Louisiana |
$55,970 |
|
Mississippi |
$55,590 |
|
Wisconsin |
$55,070 |
|
Oklahoma |
$54,640 |
|
Utah |
$54,480 |
|
Maine |
$54,360 |
|
Kentucky |
$54,240 |
|
Iowa |
$53,210 |
|
Arkansas |
$52,870 |
|
South Dakota |
$50,700 |
|
West Virginia |
$50,640 |
|
Alaska |
$49,310 |
What Tools 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:
- Advanced business application programming ABAP
- JavaScript
- Citrix
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Oracle PL/SQL
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Dynamics
Who Employs Training and Development Specialists?
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming Training and Development Specialists might also be interested in the following careers:
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education
- Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
- Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
Career changers with experience as a Training or Development Specialist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Business Professors
- Instructional Coordinators
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.