What Does a Training Manager Do?

Learn About the Salary, Required Skills, & More

This illustration shows a day in the life of a training manager including "Assist supervisors," "Implement training programs," "Assess productivity and identify inefficiencies," and "Conduct orientation sessions."

 Ashley Nicole Deleon © The Balance

Training and development managers conduct and supervise development programs for employees. They assess where training is most needed, occasionally conduct the training or hire consultants, and evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided.

In addition to enhancing productivity and quality of work, training is widely accepted as a method of improving employee morale and as an opportunity to build loyalty to the organization. But, these are only a few of the reasons for its growing importance.

Other factors include the increasing complexity of the work environment, the rapid pace of organizational and technological change, and the growing number of jobs in fields that constantly generate new knowledge.

In addition, advances in learning theory have provided insights into how adults learn, and how you can organize training most effectively for your adult learner employees. Workplaces have also become more knowledgeable about how to develop employee skills more effectively in both external programs and using internal opportunities to help employees continue to grow their skills.

Employees generally appreciate knowing their employers are willing to invest in making sure they're as well-trained as possible which gives them more career development opportunities.

Approximately 42,300 people worked in this profession in 2019. 

Training Manager Duties and Responsibilities

Training staff members have a variety of job titles depending on the size of their organization, its complexity and need to stay cutting edge, and their organization's commitment to employee development.

Assess productivity and identify inefficiencies

Training managers must develop training plans to address inefficiencies when they see them. The training needs assessment and provision plans must help the organization reach its goals and objectives and fit within the training staff's budget. This includes acquiring training materials, if necessary, and developing a specific training program that addresses the weaknesses that have been identified.

Implement training programs

Training managers implement internal or external training for employees. These programs are evaluated and adjusted as necessary to ensure that they're as effective as possible. They help rank-and-file workers maintain and improve their job skills and possibly prepare for jobs requiring greater skills or for promotions.

Conduct orientation sessions

Training managers arrange on-the-job training for new employees. Help rank-and-file workers maintain and improve their job skills and possibly prepare for jobs requiring greater skills and for promotions. They might set up individualized training plans to strengthen an employee's existing skills or to teach new ones.

Assist supervisors and managers

Training managers can work with managers and supervisors to help them develop both hard skills and soft skills including interpersonal skills so they can deal more effectively with employees. They may set up individualized training plans to strengthen an employee's existing skills or teach new ones.

Set up leadership or executive development programs

Training specialists in some companies set up leadership or executive development programs among employees in lower-level positions. These programs are designed to develop potential and current executives to replace those retiring.

Assist employees to make transitions

Lead programs to assist employees with transitions due to mergers and acquisitions, as well as technological changes.

Act as case managers in selecting and implementing programs

Training specialists can function as case managers in selecting and implementing a wide range of training programs for staff. They first assess the training needs of employees, then guide them through the most appropriate training methods.

Training methods include on-the-job training, schools in which shop conditions are duplicated for trainees prior to putting them on the shop floor, apprenticeship training, classroom training; workshops, and e-learning. E-learning can include interactive internet-based training, multimedia programs, distance learning, satellite training, videos, and other computer-aided instructional technologies, simulators, conferences, and workshops. 

Training Manager Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most highly paid training managers ($132,590 on average) worked for professional, technical, and scientific services in 2020.

  • Median Annual Salary: $113,350
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $196,070
  • Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $64,720

Education, Training & Certification

Those looking for a career as a training manager should ideally have a college degree and related work experience The following information is from the "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Training and Development Managers."

  • Education: A minimum of a bachelor's degree is typically required, and a master's degree with a focus on training and development and organizational development is a real plus. Appropriate programs of study include human resources, business administration, and education.
  • Experience: Related work experience can be critical. You might begin your career in another human resources field, then work your way up. Experience in information technology can also be very valuable to help develop efficient, electronics-assisted training programs and to train employees in the new features of technology.
  • Certification: Certification isn't required, but it can be beneficial.
  • Continuing Education: You'll want to keep pace with emerging and innovative trends.

Training Manager Skills & Competencies

You should have several essential qualities for success as a training manager.

  • Communication skills: These skills will help you impart information and training to audiences made up of different backgrounds and personalities.
  • Decision-making skills: These can be valuable in determining training programs to get the most out of staff.
  • Leadership skills: Most training managers are in charge of staff engaged in a variety of responsibilities and duties. You'll want to be able to motivate and teach them.
  • Collaboration skills: You'll be working with trainees, other management, and experts.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, training and development jobs are projected to grow at a rate of about 7% from 2019 through 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.

The growth mainly is attributed to the rapid development of new technologies that employees must learn to use.

Work Environment

This is largely an office job, but many training managers find they must travel to regional offices or training facilities. You'll spend a great deal of time working with people.

Work Schedule

This is generally a full-time job during regular business hours, but some situations can require overtime. Approximately 30% of training managers reported occasionally working more than 40 hours a week in 2016.

How to Get the Job

GET CERTIFIED

The Society for Human Resource Management offers a certification program for training managers.

JOIN AN ASSOCIATION

Professional associations classes: The Association for Talent Development and the International Society for Performance Improvement offer professional classes in training and development.

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