Becoming a Corporate Trainer
Apr 12, 2010
1 Comment
I’ve been working in the IT field for some time now, and I’m thinking about getting into corporate training. Can you offer any insight as to how I might be able to break into the field?
Thanks for the question! I would be happy to help you in any way I can. Unfortunately, I didn’t really “break into” the training field. I just “fell into” it.
I had been working for a company for several years providing technical support. I was an “expert” in that field (for the software I was supporting), so I was asked to provide some training to the end users. It certainly didn’t hurt that I wasn’t too bad at public speaking. I did this for two years, and my public speaking skills really improved. I also found that I had a talent for it, plus I really liked doing it. That two-year gig gave me enough experience to transition into a permanent role doing training for that same company. The previous trainer had left, so I was at the right place at the right time. In other words, I just “fell into” it.
To be honest, I had been trying to “break into” training for several years before it actually happened. My company works with all of its associates to create development plans with short term and long term goals. I had my desire to be a trainer on that plan for about two years before I actually started doing it. So, in a way, I had been striving to get into training before it actually happened.
There are a few pieces of advice that I could offer. Please take what you like and forget what you don’t:
1. Decide what you want to teach.
If you want to get into corporate training, there are three major categories of things to teach: 1) technical skills (computer applications, IT integration, networking, etc.); 2) business skills (project management, business analysis, consulting, leadership and management, etc.); and 3) professional skills (customer service, diversity, presentation skills, time management, etc.).
2. Become an “expert” in whatever the field is that you want to teach.
In fact, if you can marry two of the fields, that’s even better. For example, I was an “expert” in technical skills and customer service. This provided me with the ability to teach two things (or one thing from two different perspectives).
Probably the best way to become an “expert” is to gain experience in that field. I don’t know anyone who just became a trainer without experience in a particular field. If you can get that experience at a company that also does training, your chances will be much higher because you might be able to just advance your career into training.
By the way, once you become an “expert” in one field and start training, it’s amazing how easy it is for people to consider you an expert in just about any field. Because I was the technical and customer service training guy, it was really easy for me to transition to other types of training. Now, I train all kinds of things!
3. Be sure that your communication skills are good.
They don’t have to be great, yet. That will come with practice, but they have to be at least good today.
4. If you’ve never taught others (or if you have, but it was done just off the cuff), you might want to consider a “Train the Trainer” class.
I HIGHLY recommend Langevin Learning Services (http://www.langevin.com). I have several trainer certifications from them, and their programs cannot be beat.
Many people think that if you’re knowledgeable about something and can communicate effectively, you can be a trainer. There’s a lot more to it than that. Having a firm understanding of things like instructional design and classroom facilitation techniques makes a huge impact.
5. Get some kind of training experience.
Like I said, if you can get experience with a company that provides training, that would be great. You might be able to fill in occasionally as a “guest instructor.” I have many of my company’s associates do that for me from time to time. It’s a bit of a help for me, and it gives the associates some important classroom exposure.
If you don’t work for a company that provides training, offer some free classes at the local library or YMCA. These are excellent ways of getting experience (and supporting the community…).
6. Once you’ve done ALL that and have some experience built up, it’s time to polish the resume.
Check the Web for job listings, network with others about openings, and start applying. Persistence pays!
Oh, one more thing… Corporate training OFTEN involves travel. If you dislike traveling (airports, hotels, long drives, etc.), then corporate training may not be for you. Instead, you might want to focus on getting a job with a training organization that holds classes at its site so others have to travel to you to get the training.
I hope that some of this was helpful to you. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask!