Synonyms: Development Manager, Education and Development Manager, Education and Training Manager, Education Director, Employee Development Manager, Talent Development Manager, Training Manager

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts
• Day in the Life
• Common Characteristics:
• How to Become a Training and Development Manager
• Career Path
• Specialties and Similar Career Paths
• Advice from Johana

Quick Facts

What training and development managers do:

Oversee training programs that enhance employees’ skills and knowledge, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.

Median income:

$125,040 annually or $60.12 per hour.

Lifestyle:

Training and development managers typically work full-time during regular business hours in an office setting. 

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree is typically required along with years of work experience in a related occupation.

Job Outlook

The future for training and development managers is bright, with the profession expected to grow 6% from 2022-2032, which is faster than the average of all occupations.

This is perfect for you if:

• You are passionate about learning
• You enjoy working with a lot of people
• You value feedback and improvement

If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Johana Lopez, to learn more about being a training and development manager here!

Day in the Life

Schedule:

Full-time with a regular 40-hour workweek, but may occasionally require overtime during busy periods, especially when rolling out new training programs or managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Setting:

A mix of office-based activities, in-person training environments, and potential remote work for virtual training and meetings.

Tasks:

Designing and implementing training programs, evaluating program effectiveness, managing training budgets, conducting workshops and seminars, handling administrative tasks, collaborating with department heads, and learning new training methodologies. 

Topics:

Training methods and techniques, adult learning theory, leadership development, and updates on legal requirements related to training and employee development.

Skills:

Proficient in instructional design, project management, data analysis, and technical proficiency with relevant software and tools.

Tools:

A laptop or computer with access to various learning management platforms such as Canvas and Blackboard, video creation tools like Articulate and Adobe Captivate, and communication tools like Teams and Zoom for webinars.

Common Characteristics:

Natural Talents (strengths):

Naturally empathetic, creative, and communicative, which allows them to understand learner needs and design engaging programs effectively.

Interests:

Enjoys helping and interacting with people, analyzing training needs, solving problems related to employee development, and expressing creativity in developing engaging training materials.

Personality:

Typically have social, investigative, and artistic personality types. They are outgoing, analytical, and creative.

Values:

Employee growth, collaboration, and feedback to improve training effectiveness and address learner needs.

*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.

How to Become a Training and Development Manager

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in human resources, education, business administration, or a related field is typically required. A master’s degree is optional but often preferred, along with certifications such as Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) or Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP).

Preferred Majors

Pursuing majors in human resources, education, business administration, organizational development, psychology, communication, management, or a related field can be helpful.

Career Path

Specialties and Similar Career Paths

Advice from Johana

Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:

Highlight your ability to adapt to different audiences, from interns to executives. Show that you can adjust your approach based on the group’s needs and preferences, and be flexible enough to improvise if necessary.

Fastest way to get your foot in the door:

Start by giving presentations to your friends or doing “lunch and learns” at your school to build your communication and presentation skills. Also, consider volunteering with local organizations to network and explore different areas of training and development. Even if you don’t like teaching, you can still contribute by creating content, making videos, or providing 1:1 coaching.

Recommended resources:

Johana recommends reading Designing and Developing Training Programs by Janice Fisher, The Art and Science of Training by Elaine Biech, and LinkedIn for networking.

What Johana would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:

“Embrace continuous learning and always feel that you can learn more. Engage with mentors, ask for help. Sometimes we just struggle in our own little words and we don’t seek help from mentors – people are always there willing to help if you ask the right way. Be open to learning new technologies and new software, because every experience is gonna be a learning opportunity.”

Watch the full interview with Johana: 

---

Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 14 August 2024.

Favorite