Training and Development Managers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of training and development managers 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 training and development managers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of training and development managers 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 training and development managers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Training and Development Managers?
Do training and development managers need a degree? What kind of experience do training and development managers 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 training and development managers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Training and Development Managers
Jobs Postings for Training and Development Managers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 16,829 (51%)
- No Education Listed: 7,366 (22%)
- Master's degree: 5,085 (15%)
- High School or GED: 2,841 (9%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 817 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of training and development managers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 51% of positions. In 22% of job listings no education level was listed and in 15% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Training and Development Managers
Jobs Postings for Training and Development Managers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 2,177 (12%)
- 2-3 Years: 5,123 (28%)
- 4-6 Years: 6,941 (38%)
- 7-9 Years: 2,022 (11%)
- 10+ Years: 2,051 (11%)
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 training and development managers. In 38% of job postings for Training and Development Managers, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 28% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 12% of job postings for training and development managers.
What Kind of Degree Do Training and Development Managers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for training and development managers, 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 training and development managers, and in 2021 a total of 20,780 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 training and development managers.
Top Degree Programs for Training and Development Managers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Training and Development Managers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General. | 18,408 |
| Human Resources Development. | 2,315 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | 57 |
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 Training and Development Managers
Find ways to attract, train, and retain the very best talent by implementing effective benefits and labor-relations strategies.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Focus your online doctorate in educational technology at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. Instructional Technology degree (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Educational and business settings need effective and ethical leaders. Franklin’s 3-year Ed.D. with a focus on Organization Leadership equips you to become a transformative leader. With this 100% online doctor of education, you’ll develop expertise in educational technology, data-driven decision making and real-world change management.
- Years To Complete: 3
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Understand what’s behind the structure, behavior and environment of your organization.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Learn the strategic skills needed to be a leader in the evolving field of Human Resources.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Be a dynamic HR leader by building your expertise in workplace law, organizational development and strategic human resource management, with Franklin’s online accredited 12-month MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Training and Development Managers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by training and development managers 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 training and development managers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Training and Development Managers
Based on 27,451 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Training and Development Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 5,401 | 20% |
| Marketing | 3,629 | 13% |
| Learning Management Systems | 3,445 | 13% |
| Talent Management | 3,383 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 3,219 | 12% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Training and Development Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 13,630 | 50% |
| Communications | 13,536 | 49% |
| Management | 11,723 | 43% |
| Training And Development | 8,305 | 30% |
| Operations | 7,203 | 26% |
Based on 27,451 job postings related to training and development managers, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 20% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, learning management systems, talent management, instructional design and adult education were also highly sought.
As for common skills, leadership was the most desired skill found in job postings for training and development managers, followed by communications, management, training and development, operations and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 5,401 | 20% |
| Marketing | 3,629 | 13% |
| Learning Management Systems | 3,445 | 13% |
| Talent Management | 3,383 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 3,219 | 12% |
| Adult Education | 2,979 | 11% |
| Curriculum Development | 2,923 | 11% |
| Organizational Development | 2,400 | 9% |
| Data Analysis | 2,218 | 8% |
| Change Management | 1,997 | 7% |
| Selling Techniques | 1,981 | 7% |
| Auditing | 1,977 | 7% |
| Performance Management | 1,942 | 7% |
| Process Improvement | 1,860 | 7% |
| Succession Planning | 1,584 | 6% |
| Nursing | 1,431 | 5% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 1,380 | 5% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 1,316 | 5% |
| Finance | 1,289 | 5% |
| Business Process | 1,215 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 13,630 | 50% |
| Communications | 13,536 | 49% |
| Management | 11,723 | 43% |
| Training And Development | 8,305 | 30% |
| Operations | 7,203 | 26% |
| Customer Service | 5,924 | 22% |
| Planning | 5,835 | 21% |
| Sales | 5,610 | 20% |
| Coaching | 5,425 | 20% |
| Writing | 5,362 | 20% |
| Problem Solving | 5,099 | 19% |
| Presentations | 5,096 | 19% |
| Microsoft Office | 4,770 | 17% |
| Microsoft Excel | 4,369 | 16% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 4,106 | 15% |
| Influencing Skills | 3,850 | 14% |
| Coordinating | 3,749 | 14% |
| Innovation | 3,695 | 13% |
| Detail Oriented | 3,651 | 13% |
| Mentorship | 3,502 | 13% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about training and development managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for training and development managers.
What do training and development managers do?
How much do training and development managers make?
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