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Career Profile: Training and Development Manager

Why Is Training and Development Management a Job of Tomorrow?
Training and development managers are needed to instruct new employees to ensure that they are well suited to work in their hired positions. Employment opportunities for training and development managers are expected to increase 16 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Training and development managers earn an average salary of $80,250 annually.

What Does a Training and Development Manager Do?
Training and development managers oversee the training process for new hires. They develop programs that boost skills, loyalty and productivity. They also supervise the entire training process to ensure that the programs are fair, informative and effective. Parts of the training process that show little evidence of effectiveness are typically cut or modified. Training and development managers teach new employees in either an on-site or classroom setting, depending on the type of training needed. For example, occupations that require manual labor, such as some types of engineering, may require training managers to teach new hires on the job site. On the other hand, new entry-level hires in an office setting may receive all their training in a classroom. Successful training programs not only show new hires how to do their job, but also build team skills and confidence, and allow for the training and development manager to identify any possible flaws in a new hire's work method so they can be addressed quickly.

What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become a Training and Development Manager?
Training and development managers must have at least a bachelor's degree in human resources, personnel or other related degree plan. Some employers will also consider applicants with a college degree in business or a technical background. A bachelor's degree takes four years to earn, and courses cover such topics as compensation and recruitment. Those who wish to increase their chances of advancement within a company should earn a graduate degree in labor relations or human resources, which would take an additional two to four years to obtain, depending on the school and degree level desired. To increase marketability, prospective training and development managers can also earn certification from the American Society for Training and Development, which requires the successful completion of an examination as well as adequate work experience.