What does a training specialist do?

As the name entails, training specialists are the ones who design and perform training programs that will foster employees' workplace performance and align with the core values of an organization. They have varied responsibilities, including identifying employee training needs, preparing teaching plans and developing an annual training program, and turning requirements into training to aid employees in their career development. They are also responsible for implementing training courses, staying up-to-date on the new tools and trends in employee development, and evaluating existing programs periodically.
Training specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real training specialist resumes:
- Instruct representatives on how to maximize functionality of relational database to effectively manage their sales territories and expenses.
- Develop training manuals and PowerPoint presentations for assign training projects using the ADDIE instructional design method.
- Work as a technical trainer for undergraduate students for subjects such as JAVA, SQL, HTML and CSS.
- Establish information technology help desk by developing reference tools and processes necessary to troubleshoot issues.
- Train skilled operators to set-up, troubleshoot, and maintain several types of highly automate manufacturing equipment.
- Develop corporate standards for software documentation, including standardization of job aids, PowerPoint presentations, and manuals.
- Administer LMS including designing curricula for general users and customize eLearning curricula enhancing product portfolio for key accounts.
- Utilize computers and associate software and hardware for word-processing, database, and statistical analysis and graphics functions.
- Collaborate with other Pfizer manufacturing sites to develop network base eLearning programs for regulatory requirements and annually require GMP training.
- Perform timekeeping and finalizing of payroll; facilitate payroll reports and disbursement of paychecks; ensure associates complete all necessary training.
- Develop and oversee key employee support programs including hiring interviews, orientation training, personnel records, and benefits and payroll management
- Screen donors to make sure they meet the FDA guidelines for the donation of products.
- Inform employees of necessary corrective action commitments establish as a result of FDA and internal inspections.
- Investigate and resolve complaints, EEO claims, and other relational issues and counsele management and staff.
- Facilitate professional speaking and entrepreneurial leadership engagements, providing expert advice and tools to transform performance and create progress.
Training specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Training Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Training Programs, and Training Materials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Training Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 10%
Experienced in many logistics functions including production planning, inventory management, customer service, forecasting, transportation and distribution.
- Training Programs, 9%
Provide support to the different Investigative Service Division departments through development of training programs, training re-certifications and overall business needs.
- Training Materials, 7%
Developed format to assess analyst skills and professional development, Developed Team Coaches concept and provided training materials.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Developed PowerPoint presentations and other training related materials to facilitate a seamless training environment.
- Training Sessions, 5%
Oversee entire operation: design/develop curriculum, lead training sessions, marketing/advertising, finance/accounts, and quality assurance.
- Subject Matter Experts, 5%
Conducted task analysis, interviewing subject matter experts, building and administering assessments, and evaluating training continuously to make improvements.
Most training specialists use their skills in "customer service," "training programs," and "training materials" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential training specialist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a training specialist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "training and development specialists must evaluate training programs, methods, and materials and choose those that best fit each situation." Additionally, a training specialist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "utilized individual training, group instruction, lectures, on-the-job training, executive overviews, operational analysis, and meetings. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform training specialist duties is communication skills. Training specialists responsibilities require that "training and development specialists must convey information clearly and facilitate learning to diverse audiences." Training specialists also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinated technical and hr training for dtis (dept of telecommunications & information services). "
Creativity. This is an important skill for training specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how training specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "specialists should be resourceful when developing training materials." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a training specialist: "trained management in operations, hr, inventory management, loss prevention. ".
Instructional skills. For certain training specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "instructional skills." The day-to-day duties of a training specialist rely on this skill, as "training and development specialists deliver employee training programs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what training specialists do: "assist in the development of job specific course content and selection of appropriate instructional procedures and tools. "
The three companies that hire the most training specialists are:
- Honeywell6 training specialists jobs
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Training specialist 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, training specialist responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "training programs," "subject matter experts," and "instructional design." Meanwhile a typical epic credentialed trainer has skills in areas such as "ehr," "end user training," "coordinators," and "training environment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Epic credentialed trainers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $77,624. Comparatively, training specialists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,281.The education levels that epic credentialed trainers earn slightly differ from training specialists. In particular, epic credentialed trainers are 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a training specialist. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Training specialist vs. Technical trainer
A technical trainer is responsible for guiding the employees with the company's technical operation processes by designing a comprehensive computer and systems training. Other duties include helping the organization to boost efficiency and maximize productivity in meeting clients' demands and achieving their satisfaction. Technical trainers maintain an engaging and active class environment, conducting practical assessments both for individual and group works. They should also be highly-knowledgeable with the business' procedures, as well as having excellent communication skills to respond to the employees' inquiries and concerns accurately.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that training specialist responsibilities requires skills like "training programs," "instructional design," "training content," and "technical training." But a technical trainer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "a+," "azure," "cloud computing," and "technical support."
Technical trainers earn a lower average salary than training specialists. But technical trainers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $65,070. Additionally, training specialists earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $76,281 annually.In general, technical trainers achieve similar levels of education than training specialists. They're 2.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Training specialist vs. Corporate trainer
A corporate trainer is someone who essentially works as a teacher in a corporate setting. Daily duties include training employees with new company systems, skills, and strategies. They monitor the engagement levels and performance of the training participants. Also, they collaborate with project stakeholders to create training content and design. Corporate trainers must have high interpersonal skills to connect with trainers easily and to get them to participate actively in the training sessions. Preferred candidates for the job are those with a bachelor's degree in human resources or those with relevant job experience in the same field.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, training specialists are more likely to have skills like "instructional design," "patients," "training content," and "cpr." But a corporate trainer is more likely to have skills like "corporate training," "account executives," "sales training," and "business trips."
Corporate trainers make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $58,663. On the other hand, training specialists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $76,281.When it comes to education, corporate trainers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to training specialists. In fact, they're 3.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Training specialist 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.
Types of training specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











