Job Guide - Training Manager

The Job and What's Involved

Training managers plan and design training programmes for employees to ensure that every member of staff has the necessary skills to carry out their job effectively. Training can be delivered in many different ways - from formal courses run by established training institutions to shadowing and mentoring within the workplace.

Though the job can vary greatly, it is likely to include some or all of the following tasks:

Identifying the current and future training needs of their organisation and developing training solutions.
Planning training strategies with department managers.
Organising training programmes with external providers.
Managing the training budget.
Assessing the effectiveness and cost efficiency of different types of training.
Monitoring industry trends to ensure that future training needs are met.
Ensuring that statutory training requirements are met.
Producing training materials for in-house courses.

In some organisations, particularly smaller businesses, the training manager may be expected to lead some of the courses. Some may specialise in a particular area such as ICT.

Training managers work closely with other departmental managers to agree a training strategy and work out specific course content. Presenting findings and advising colleagues are important parts of the job.

Most training managers work a 37-hour week, typically between the hours of 9am and 6pm, though they may be expected to work additional hours at certain times, such as during residential courses. Part-time and flexible working hours may be possible.

Most of the work is office based. Some jobs may require travel, particularly when based with an international company. A driving licence is useful.

Jobs are advertised in specialist journals, such as People Management and Personnel Today, and also appear in local and national newspapers. Individual industries may advertise positions in their own industry magazines and may use recruitment agencies.

Starting salaries for a training manager may be around £18,000 to £21,000 a year.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

To become a training manager, proven experience as an effective training officer is usually required. Many entrants also have a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant field such as business studies, human resources or communications.

Work experience and a professional qualification can improve the chances of progression to the position of training manager. Candidates without a degree may be able to work up from a training officer role, particularly in small and medium-sized companies.

Degree programmes typically last either three or four years. The four-year courses may include a work placement, which can give a valuable insight into the skills needed for a commercial position.

Education and Training

For degree courses, applicants usually need a minimum of two A levels/three H grades and five GCSE's/S grades (A-C/1-3), including maths and English or equivalent qualifications. Candidates should check with individual colleges and universities.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) offers a range of relevant courses including:

The Certificate in Training Practice (CTP), which is skills based rather than academic in its approach, and can be studied either as a fast-track 28-week course or as a two-year modular programme.

Short courses on topics such as training programme design and training evaluation.

They also run a Professional Development Scheme over four areas of study. Completion of all four modules can lead to graduate CIPD membership.

These courses are available in centres across the UK and can be studied in a range of ways including part time and by distance learning. Further details are available on the CIPD website.

Relevant NVQs/SVQs in training are also available and include:

Level 3 in Direct Training and Support.
Levels 3, 4 and 5 in Learning and Development.

Some of these qualifications can also lead to eligibility for CIPD membership.

Training managers, who are members of the CIPD, are encouraged to keep their professional knowledge up to date by Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

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Skills and Personal Qualities Needed

A training manager needs to be:

An excellent written and verbal communicator.
Able to work well in a team and with a wide range of people.
Organised, methodical and a good time manager.
Well presented with a professional manner.
Able to motivate and inspire a team.
Proactive and creative.
Persuasive and diplomatic.
Able to work within a budget.

Your Long Term Prospects

Depending on the size and structure of the organisation, training managers may find better chances of promotion if they are willing to change employer. Some larger companies may have a training director's role.

It is possible to move from training into a related area such as human resources or general management. Increasingly companies are using consultancies for at least some of their training requirements, so self-employed opportunities are increasing.