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Learning consultant vs workforce development specialist

The differences between learning consultants and workforce development specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a learning consultant and a workforce development specialist. Additionally, a learning consultant has an average salary of $79,585, which is higher than the $43,666 average annual salary of a workforce development specialist.

The top three skills for a learning consultant include instructional design, project management and customer service. The most important skills for a workforce development specialist are social services, training programs, and HR.

Learning consultant vs workforce development specialist overview

Learning ConsultantWorkforce Development Specialist
Yearly salary$79,585$43,666
Hourly rate$38.26$20.99
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs46,74880,041
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a learning consultant do?

Learning consultants are professionals who act as a link between companies, their corporate training products, and their audience. Their typical job includes providing support during and after the sales process, participating in conference calls, meetings, and product demonstrations, and assisting with the implementation of a learning management system (LMS). A learning consultant is also responsible for making course recommendations based on the client's goals and needs and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs, along with suggesting improvements.

What does a workforce development specialist do?

A workforce development specialist is responsible for designing and conducting training and development programs to significantly improve organizational and individual performance. You will perform a few duties that include evaluating training delivery modes, such as virtual or in-person to optimize training effectiveness and costs, developing, obtaining, or organizing training guides and procedure manuals, and coordinating the placement of trainees. As a workforce development specialist, you also have to choose and assign training instructors and negotiating contracts with clients.

Learning consultant vs workforce development specialist salary

Learning consultants and workforce development specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Learning ConsultantWorkforce Development Specialist
Average salary$79,585$43,666
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $97,000Between $28,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCRoseville, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryInsuranceTransportation

Differences between learning consultant and workforce development specialist education

There are a few differences between a learning consultant and a workforce development specialist in terms of educational background:

Learning ConsultantWorkforce Development Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Learning consultant vs workforce development specialist demographics

Here are the differences between learning consultants' and workforce development specialists' demographics:

Learning ConsultantWorkforce Development Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.2% Female, 61.8%Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.8% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between learning consultant and workforce development specialist duties and responsibilities

Learning consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage intranet sites, using Dreamweaver, for accessing e-Learning courses.
  • Lead experiential learning in supervisory skills, conflict management, leadership, team building and organization process effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with SMEs to develop training material that meets the needs of the organization.
  • Analyze needs, design, develop and deliver courses using ADDIE and ISD processes.
  • Create instructor guides, participant guides, storyboards, activity handouts, and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Develop user friendly e-Learning materials using the ADDIE methodology that is currently being used by employees.
  • Show more

Workforce development specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead advocacy efforts to increase employment opportunities for veterans by contacting hiring executives and encourage the hiring of disable veterans.
  • Work cooperatively with community organizations to provide support and resources to TANF clients.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for use with public speaking events.
  • Conduct employment verification (I9) and drug tests.
  • Market OJT services to public and private sector employers; prepare contract agreements between employers and employees.
  • Establish and maintain rapport with both prime contractors and their employees that are participating in the OJT program as trainees.
  • Show more

Learning consultant vs workforce development specialist skills

Common learning consultant skills
  • Instructional Design, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Learning Solutions, 5%
  • HR, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common workforce development specialist skills
  • Social Services, 9%
  • Training Programs, 8%
  • HR, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Career Development, 6%
  • Supportive Services, 6%

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