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Business OperationsTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.Green JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Training and Development Specialist

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

Annual openings

1,204

BLS median wage

$75,790

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

10-year growth

+11%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required. However, work experience as an Educator or completing the tasks now being trained is valued by employers. Previous experience developing the listed knowledge and abilities, if possible in a Business Operations or Training environment, is preferred.

Employers have identified that while we are showing Training & Development activities as reporting to Human Resources, they could instead report to Operations. There could also be an Organizational Development role. For example, in IT, training could be internal training or the training of users in the use of computer solutions.
This job is important for the growth of the renewables industry and is a “green job” when you work for an organization supporting that industry, or other green industries.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

  • With kids/peopleOccasionally
  • On a computerOccasionally
  • Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
  • With your handsOccasionally

Interests it draws on

  • Business Support

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures.
  2. Obtain, organize, or develop training procedure manuals, guides, or course materials, such as handouts or visual materials.
  3. Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts.
  4. Assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives.
  5. Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.
  6. Design, plan, organize, or direct orientation and training programs for employees or customers.