Corporate/Government/Non-profit Trainer
A trainer is an educator or instructor who works in a business environment and conveys knowledge or skills to a group of adults, such as employees or others seeking some form of training. Corporate trainers may be hired full-time by a company to train employees and assist in the instruction, such as for software applications or other business requirements. Some trainers are independent contractors, who may consult, work for training firms, and visit businesses on a short-term basis to train employees, or provide specific forms of instruction.
Corporate trainers are usually situated within the human resources department, but trainers can specialise in everything from marketing, finance, education and compliance. Depending on the job and the situation, a trainer may be involved in designing training plans and schedules, selecting appropriate training methods depending on the needs (virtual, simulated, mentoring, on the job training, professional development classes, etc.), and designing and developing training programs (outsourced or in-house). A corporate trainer may provide on-the-job education to newly hired employees as well as enhanced education to current employees to keep everyone up-to-date on changes in the industry that affect job requirements. A trainer working with a non-profit trainer may provide some other form of education, such as job skills to assist adults with job transitions.
A trainer is a kind of teacher that usually works with adults, must be able to speak in front of a crowd, produce and understand training materials, work with individuals or groups, and be able to evaluate how well people have learned or applied the intended content. Trainers might work manually with written materials, or use educational and testing software as part of the training process. There is a difference between standard teaching and training. Teaching usually focuses on the conveying information, such as by direct instruction in a classroom lecture. Training is usually more skills based, where people are learning to use and apply the tools and skills they need.
One thing to realize as a trainer is that conducting training sessions in person or virtually is only one part of the job, as there is also the planning and organizing of the training sessions and decisions on how to determine their success. Training is a growing field, as there is a predicted growth of 21% in training and development jobs between 2010 and 2020 (http://learningpath.org/articles/Becoming_a_Corporate_Trainer_Job_Description_Salary_Info.html).
If you are a teacher considering transitioning to a trainer, then you are not alone. Being a teachers has provided you with an excellent experience of imparting information clearly and concisely to large groups, managing instruction, and performing a variety of assessment. Teachers have many transferable skills that can be very valuable for a career as a corporate, non-profit, or government trainer (http://resumes-for-teachers.com/blog/changing-careers/transitioning-from-a-teaching-position-to-corporate-trainer/).
Sample trainer job description
The Trainer is responsible for conducting training with payers, providers, vendors, and employees. The position will also assist in the development of training materials for in person and online performance and support documents as needed. The position will interact closely with other team members to provide the highest quality of training materials/programs and customer service. Applicants must be self-directed and may also be called upon to serve in multiple roles in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial corporate environment.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Delivery of Training
- Conducts external (providers, vendors, payers) product and soft skills training via web conferencing tools and onsite, as needed
- Records webinars, as appropriate, and performs related administrative tasks
- Conducts product training for employees
- Coordinates and facilitates user group sessions
Development of Training
Education and Experience
Skills and Knowledge
If you are interested in becoming an educational trainer, please visit our program page at http://www.unf.edu/coehs/lscsm/leadership/Technology_Program.aspx for more information on applying to the program.
