What's the job of a corporate trainer?

I'm looking into career paths that combine teaching and business skills and heard about corporate trainers. What exactly do they do, and how do I become one?

A corporate trainer plays a crucial role within an organization by focusing on the continuous learning and development of the company's employees. Their central responsibility is to develop and lead training programs that help employees acquire the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs effectively.

Their key duties may include the following:

1. Identifying training needs: They assess the skills and knowledge within an organization and determine what training is needed to improve performance.

2. Designing and implementing training programs: Once they've identified the needs, they put together training methods and materials. To reach everyone effectively, they might create a combination of written materials, group sessions, or even one-on-one training.

3. Facilitating learning: This could be done through workshops, webinars, or online classes. They present these training sessions themselves or bring in external experts.

4. Evaluating effectiveness of training: After the training program is implemented, they evaluate its effectiveness through feedback, quizzes, job performance, and other methods.

As for becoming a corporate trainer, you usually need a bachelor's degree, preferably in education, human resources, business administration, or a related field. You should also have experience in a business setting, as this knowledge can help when developing relevant training programs. Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills are key.

In addition, certification programs such as the Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) or other programs offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD) can enhance your credibility in the field.

It's worth noting that experience in a specialized field can be a bonus. For example, if you've worked in IT and moved into a corporate training role, you might specialize in training employees on new software, cybersecurity practices, or other tech-related topics. Each organization has its own specific needs and having specialized knowledge can make you more valuable to potential employers.