Corporate Trainer/Training and Development Professional - Career Advice - Office and Administration

Training officers plan, develop, implement and evaluate training and professional development programs in organisations. Training officers instruct staff and management in many areas including occupational health and safety, operating plant machinery and equipment, driving, industrial relations, preparing for retirement, general clerical duties and supervisory skills.

They often consult with an organisation's management and staff to identify areas where training is necessary to improve aspects such as efficiency and safety. Training officers work in industries all over Australia, from corporate offices in cities through to retail chains and fast food companies with stores in towns and cities. Training usually covers areas such as occupational health and safety, operating equipment, preparing for retirement, management and leadership skills, general clerical duties and/or industrial relations. Most training officers specialise in only one or two fields, so larger organisations may employ more than one. Future Growth Very Strong

ANZSCO description: ID: 2233: Plans, develops, implements and evaluates training and development programs to ensure management and staff acquire the skills and develop the competencies required by an organisation to meet organisational objectives.

Alternative names: Training & Development Professional, Trainer, Training Coordinator, Training Officer, Training & Development Officer, Learning & Development Officer, Professional Development Officer,

Specialisations: Education Officer (Air Force and Army), Training Systems Officer (Navy)

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A training officer needs:

excellent communication and presentation skills
initiative, tact and maturity
aptitude for research
good people skills
to be motivated and able to motivate others
organisational skills
a strong interest in training and development
the ability to relate to staff at all levels
planning and time management skills
initiative and creativity
a commitment to developing their own skills and knowledge.
to be flexible in their teaching methods

Duties and Tasks

Training officers may perform the following tasks: Training words

coordinate a staff training program based on organisational and employee needs
identify training and development needs through job analysis, staff appraisals and consultation with staff and managers
use questionnaires and surveys in consultation with managers and staff to analyse training needs as they relate to the goals of the organisation and work area
design and deliver training programs
compile training manuals - produce training materials for in-house courses, including e-learning where suitable
develop training resources, which may involve preparing notes and visual displays from researched information or their own knowledge
arrange or conduct training courses, which may involve demonstrating equipment, operating video recorders and cameras, leading group discussions or role-playing activities and employing experts to run sessions
evaluate the effectiveness of training programs using surveys, questionnaires, interviews and observation, in order to plan future courses or to amend existing ones
evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and report to managers
obtain information on work-related external courses, prepare reports on their suitability and make recommendations on staff attendance at training courses
prepare, administer and conduct training assessments
provide career development sessions for existing staff and conduct induction sessions for new employees
assist in developing training interventions to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders
support learners during training interventions
design and deliver effective induction training and monitor the development of trainees
evaluate and arrange external training for specialised programs
develop appraisal schemes to match company goals
revising programs to meet company changes or statutory requirements
helping line managers and trainers solve specific training problems, either on a one-to-one basis or in groups
making sure training is cost-effective and within budget
keep up to date with developments in e-learning and new methodologies.
maintain learner outcomes in a Learning Management System.

You could be responsible for a particular area of work such as management development or health and safety.

Working conditions

In a full-time role, you would normally work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. However, you may sometimes need to be more flexible, for example if you are involved in residential courses or workshops, or if your company operates a shift system.

You would be based in an office, but you may also need to travel between company sites or to training venues like hotels or conference centres.

Training officers instruct staff and management in many areas including occupational health and safety, operating plant machinery and equipment, driving, industrial relations, preparing for retirement, general clerical duties and supervisory skills.

Working conditions for training officers depend largely on the subjects they teach. In many cases they work indoors, in an office or classroom environment, though they may also work in workshops or outdoors. They often conduct training at a client's workplace, which in some instances may require them to complete a safety induction, particularly if visiting a construction or mine site. Depending on the size and structure of an organisation, training officers may be required to travel interstate or even overseas to assess a workplace and deliver training.

Most training officers work regular hours, however, they may also work evening and weekends, depending on a client's specific needs. Corporate Trainer

Tools and technologies

Most training officers use computers and various types of audio-visual equipment, such as projectors and microphones, to deliver training. A range of other equipment may also be used, depending on the specific training being delivered. For instance, a training officer teaching staff how to use a new piece of industrial machinery would need to be able to use it correctly themselves.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a training and development professional, you usually need to complete a formal qualification in human resource management, training and development, or a related area. You may also be required to have significant experience in the area in which you offer training.

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is offered at TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

Alternatively, you can become a training & development officer by completing a degree in business management, human resources or human resource management. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. English and mathematics would be appropriate subjects to study prior to university.

Additional Information

Academic training alone is not normally sufficient to find work in this field. Training officers often need to have extensive work experience and job knowledge, gained as an assistant, through work in specialist technical areas, or as a leading hand or supervisor.

Many Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE, offer a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. This may be of assistance to people with a trade or extensive work experience who are required to train other employees in their place of work. This qualification is also generally required to plan and conduct training and assessments within a Registered Training Organisation.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those with a bachelor’s degree and previous work experience in training and development.

Training officers work in federal, state, territory and local government departments and agencies, training institutions, and in many large private firms. Banks, retail stores, mining companies, manufacturing companies, health and medical organisations, and other large firms have staff training departments.

There is a growing tendency for organisations to employ training consultants for short-term contracts to undertake specific projects. Because of this, training consultants often combine training with other human resource duties such as personnel work. There is an increasing need for training officers with specialised knowledge of new technology.

As a training officer gains experience, prospects of advancement and promotion improve. Opportunities exist for training officers to attain management positions or to become self-employed as training consultants.

Did You Know?

Companies have long sought to boost their employees' performance through training and leadership programs.

U.S. businesses spent $171.5 billion on learning and development in 2010, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the American Society for Training and Development.

General Electric Co., for example, spends $1 billion annually on training and education programs for its employees, according to its website.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)

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