Training and Development Specialists

Conduct training and development programs for employees. Keep up with developments in area of expertise by reading current journals, books, and magazine articles. Present information, using a variety of instructional techniques and formats such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, and lectures. Schedule classes based on availability of classrooms, equipment, and instructors. Organize and develop, or obtain, training procedure manuals and guides and course materials such as handouts and visual materials. Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills. Monitor, evaluate, and record training activities and program effectiveness. Attend meetings and seminars to obtain information for use in training programs or to inform management of training program status. Coordinate recruitment and placement of training program participants. Evaluate training materials prepared by instructors, such as outlines, text, and handouts. Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen. Assess training needs through surveys; interviews with employees; focus groups; or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives. Screen, hire, and assign workers to positions based on qualifications. Select and assign instructors to conduct training. Devise programs to develop executive potential among employees in lower-level positions. Design, plan, organize, and direct orientation and training for employees or customers of industrial or commercial establishment. Negotiate contracts with clients, including desired training outcomes, fees, and expenses. Supervise instructors, evaluate instructor performance, and refer instructors to classes for skill development. Monitor training costs to ensure budget is not exceeded and prepare budget reports to justify expenditures. Refer trainees to employer relations representatives, to locations offering job placement assistance, or to appropriate social services agencies if warranted.

SKILLS—Most Important: Communication Skills; Social Skills; Thought-Processing Skills. Other Above-Average Skills: Mathematics Skills; Quality Control Skills.

GOE—Interest Area: 04. Business and Administration. Work Group: 04.03. Human Resources Support. Other Jobs in This Group: Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists; Employment Interviewers; Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists; Personnel Recruiters. PERSONALITY TYPE: Social. Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

EDUCATION/TRAINING PROGRAM(S)—Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General; Organizational Behavior Studies. RELATED KNOWLEDGE/COURSES—Psychology: Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Sociology and Anthropology: Group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, and cultures and their history and origins. Customer and Personal Service: Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting of quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Personnel and Human Resources: Principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. Therapy and Counseling: Principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions and for career counseling and guidance. Education and Training: Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.