Business & Office

How to become a Training Specialist

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

6–18 months

Typical pay

$55k–$78k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   6–12 months

   Become the person who trains new starters

   Almost every training career starts by informally teaching your own job well.

2. 2

   3–6 months

   Learn facilitation

   Holding a room of adults who do not want to be there is the core skill.

3. 3

   3–6 months

   Learn to build materials

   Job aids, decks and simple e-learning. Design before software.

   Course that covers thisPersonal Secretary: Office and Administrative AssistantUdemy · around $19.99 →
4. 4

   Certify or specialise

   ATD credentials, or move toward instructional design where the pay is higher.

   ◆ APTD / CPTD (ATD)

5. ✓

   Destination

   Training Specialist

   Browse jobs now →

Course links are Udemy affiliate links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.