Directors of Training: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of directors of training about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for directors of training to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of directors of training expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for directors of training.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Directors of Training?

Do directors of training need a degree? What kind of experience do directors of training typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for directors of training to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Directors of Training

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of directors of training. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 44% of positions. In 27% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a master's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Directors of Training

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for directors of training. In 37% of job postings for Directors of Training, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 30% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 7-9 years of experience was sought in 12% of job postings for directors of training.

What Kind of Degree Do Directors of Training Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for directors of training, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 3 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective directors of training, and in 2023 a total of 18,423 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective directors of training.

Top Degree Programs for Directors of Training

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Directors of Training

What Skills Do Directors of Training Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by directors of training to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for directors of training, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Directors of Training
Based on 37,279 job postings

Based on 37,279 job postings related to directors of training, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 19% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for learning management systems, marketing, instructional design, adult education and curriculum development were also highly sought.

As for common skills, leadership was the most desired skill found in job postings for directors of training, followed by communication, management, operations, training and development and sales.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about directors of training? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for directors of training.

What do directors of training do?
How much do directors of training make?

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