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What does a training developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a training developer do

A training developer is responsible for organizing process training and development programs for the employees. Training developers coordinate with the management to identify training criteria and processes that would fit the company's goals and objectives. They create engaging content and learning materials, as well as assessing the employees' learning by conducting activities that will test their knowledge of the subject. A training developer should have excellent communication and organizational skills, ensuring efficient training methods within the management's budget requirements and specifications.

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Training developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real training developer resumes:

  • Manage documents on SharePoint site.
  • Lead the virtualization of military training exercises and provide periods of instruction using virtual simulations.
  • Create computer graphics for the lessons using Photoshop.
  • Create individual tasks and task management of DoD training products.
  • Develop CBTs and maintain the SCORM base LMS as necessary.
  • Create css templates for online courses in the Brainhoney LMS.
  • Develop interactive computer base training in Javascript on the MSIE browser.
  • Serve as division SME for training entire division on literature development cycle.
  • Identify visual media (pictures and animation) to accompany lesson content.
  • Provide input/feedback to SME's as to how content should be present to users.
  • Design and create visual and audio aids for publication using multiple programs including Photoshop.
  • Create initial requirements for architecture and site structure, graphics, SCORM, and configuration management.
  • Experience with the latest technologies in authoring programs, audio, graphics, video, and animation.
  • Engage technical support management to analyze business training needs, perform gap analysis and develop curriculum using the ADDIE model.
  • Review large amounts of military and government documents to create instructional objectives and content through application of the ADDIE process.

Training developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Training Developers are proficient in Training Materials, Training Development, and Subject Matter Experts. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Instructional skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Training Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Training Materials, 10%

    Wrote/edited user guides and training materials * Developed internal and external marketing and training materials * Wrote/edited material for Knowledge Management Systems

  • Training Development, 6%

    Supervised subordinates in completion of student records and faculty training development, coordinated outside training resources as required.

  • Subject Matter Experts, 6%

    Worked closely with subject matter experts in developing end user training material and documentation.

  • Training Programs, 6%

    Developed training programs and reviewed and recommended lesson plans, instructional materials, and evaluation criteria prepared by subordinates and students.

  • Instructional Design, 6%

    Subject matter expert for instructional design relating to conducting company and tactical level intelligence analysis.

  • Blended Learning, 5%

    Worked as part of a team to design and develop blended learning for the C130-J/USMC aircraft maintenance training program.

Most training developers use their skills in "training materials," "training development," and "subject matter experts" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential training developer responsibilities here:

Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a training developer to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "specialists should be resourceful when developing training materials." Training developers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "produced training materials for inventory management and sales force automation systems. "

Instructional skills. Many training developer duties rely on instructional skills. "training and development specialists deliver employee training programs," so a training developer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways training developer responsibilities rely on instructional skills: "gathered, interpreted and articulated instructional design solution strategies, priorities and development updates for all organization training materials. "

Analytical skills. This is an important skill for training developers to perform their duties. For an example of how training developer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "training and development specialists must evaluate training programs, methods, and materials and choose those that best fit each situation." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a training developer: "conducted resource analysis for training development tools. ".

Communication skills. A big part of what training developers do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to training developer responsibilities because "training and development specialists must convey information clearly and facilitate learning to diverse audiences." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical training developer tasks: "trained and advised the afghan national army training command (anatc) staff officers in communications/information technology doctrine and training development/management. "

See the full list of training developer skills

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Compare different training developers

Training developer vs. Instructional designer and trainer

Instructional designers are in charge of redesigning the courses, developing the entire curriculum, and creating all instructional mediums, including handouts, presentation materials, participant guides, and job aids. They typically evaluate training, as well as assess what was learned and check if learning solutions led to quantifiable behavior improvements. Also, the design and rebuild both new and traditional learning models. Additionally, they execute feedback from program reviews, teach others how to convey the learning material, and research new changes in both learning design and education.

If we compare the average training developer annual salary with that of an instructional designer and trainer, we find that instructional designer and trainers typically earn a $2,098 higher salary than training developers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both training developer and instructional designer and trainer positions are skilled in training materials, training development, and subject matter experts.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between training developers and instructional designer and trainer. For instance, training developer responsibilities require skills such as "logistics," "isd," "dod," and "training sessions." Whereas a instructional designer and trainer is skilled in "html css," "project management," "smes," and "learning objectives." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Instructional designer and trainers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $70,081. Comparatively, training developers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $70,729.instructional designer and trainers tend to reach similar levels of education than training developers. In fact, instructional designer and trainers are 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Training developer vs. Epic credentialed trainer

Epic credential trainers are professionals who are trained at the hospital client where they provide training to users. The responsibilities of the trainers include the delivery of end-user training and assistance in technicalities. They balance various projects and their deadlines while still managing caseloads. Their job involves the establishment and enforcement of training interventions. Also, they offer extensive customer service through communication on a professional level and provide support via telephone or WebEx.

On average, epic credentialed trainers earn a $12,955 higher salary than training developers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Training developers and epic credentialed trainers both require similar skills like "training materials," "blended learning," and "elearning" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, training developer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "training development," "subject matter experts," "training programs," and "instructional design." Meanwhile, an epic credentialed trainer has duties that require skills in areas such as "ehr," "patients," "powerpoint," and "curriculum development." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, epic credentialed trainers earn a higher salary than training developers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, epic credentialed trainers earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $77,624. Whereas training developers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $70,729.In general, epic credentialed trainers achieve similar levels of education than training developers. They're 0.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Training developer vs. Development specialist

A development specialist is responsible for monitoring career training and programs for the employees, improving their capabilities and maximum potential to contribute to the company's growth and success. Development specialists also assist in assessing departmental operations, evaluating training needs, and facilitate skill development discussions and exercises. A development specialist helps identify business opportunities to generate more revenues for the organization and improve profitability status. A development specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills and comprehensive knowledge of human management to assist employees with their inquiries and concerns.

An average development specialist eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of training developers. The difference in salaries amounts to development specialists earning a $2,630 lower average salary than training developers.By looking over several training developers and development specialists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "training materials," "subject matter experts," and "training programs." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a training developer is likely to be skilled in "training development," "instructional design," "training content," and "course content," while a typical development specialist is skilled in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "patients," and "excellent interpersonal."

Development specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to training developers. Specifically, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Training developer vs. Workforce development specialist

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.

Workforce development specialists typically earn lower pay than training developers. On average, workforce development specialists earn a $19,308 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, training developers and workforce development specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "training programs," "blended learning," and "elearning. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A training developer uses "training materials," "training development," "subject matter experts," and "instructional design." Workforce development specialists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "social services," "community resources," "career development," and "supportive services. "In general, workforce development specialists earn the most working in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $60,428. The highest-paying industry for a training developer is the technology industry.In general, workforce development specialists hold similar degree levels compared to training developers. Workforce development specialists are 2.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of training developer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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