To work as an employee training specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Employee training specialists often have a bachelor's degree. Common majors are personnel or human resources management. Education and business are other good choices.

You should take courses in performance appraisal and training and development. Courses in business and in social and behavioral sciences are helpful. As in other fields, computer skills are important.

Work experience

Employers often promote skilled workers to training specialist positions. They look for people with good writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.

An internship is a good way to gain experience.

On-the-job training

As a new hire, you begin by assisting experienced trainers. You help prepare training materials, set up classrooms, and observe sessions. You gradually assume more duties until you are planning and presenting sessions on your own. On-the-job training may last up to one year.

Military training

The military trains people to be training specialists and instructors. Training lasts two to 14 weeks, depending on the specialty.