A corporate trainer is essentially a teacher who educates adults in a corporate setting. Depending on the size of the company, the location and the type of business, a corporate trainer’s responsibilities and salary will fluctuate.
Generally speaking, corporate trainers introduce employees to new skills, new systems and technology. They work with both existing and new employees, create and update classroom materials, collaborate with stakeholders, and develop metrics and assessments to determine the effectiveness of training protocols. Corporate trainers may also be responsible for the company’s training budget, planning and administering off-site training activities, and managing a training staff.
Who Should Become a Corporate Trainer?
An effective corporate trainer has great people skills, is comfortable with public speaking, and has technical experience with computer-based and internet-based training. They also possess the traits that are useful to most teachers, including patience, ability to provide constructive criticism, keen observational skills and adaptability. According to JobHero, trainers “who can successfully break the ice and get their trainees to engage with the materials are the ones who rise to the top of the industry.” TrainSmart explains that people who want to become corporate trainers “have good communication skills, interpersonal skills, and are genuinely interested in helping someone accomplish a goal.”
How to Become a Corporate Trainer
Most corporate trainer jobs require a bachelor’s degree, and some organizations prefer trainers with a degree in human resources. Applicants with a degree in business administration, organizational management, educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, or instructional design are also good candidates.
While certification is not required, competitive candidates possess relevant training and education. If your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field, an advanced degree in instructional design is a great choice, one that also brings increased earning potential.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), corporate trainers enjoy a median annual income of $60,870. Some industries, such as tech and pharmaceutical, offer higher salaries. According to research from Learning Hub, the top 10% of corporate trainers earn more than $102,000 a year. Regardless of income or industry, the BLS reports a positive career outlook for corporate trainers. Jobs are expected to grow by 9% through 2028.
Earning an Advanced Degree
For professionals who want to earn an M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, St. Thomas University offers an accelerated online program that can be completed in as few as 10 months. The highly relevant, innovative and up-to-date curriculum prepares graduates for a broad range of instructional design careers such as corporate trainer, human resources director, training developer, web trainer, academic coach, instructional professor and more.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology online.
Sources:
Job Hero: How to Become a Corporate Trainer
Learning Hub: State of Corporate Trainer Salary Ranges in 2019
TrainSmart Inc.: How to Become a Corporate Trainer
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Training and Development Specialists
