What Training and Development Managers Do
Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
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Work Environment
Training and development managers work in nearly every industry. They typically work full time, spending much of their day with people. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Training and Development Manager
Training and development managers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree and related work experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for training and development managers was $113,350 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of training and development managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be favorable due to the continuing need for workplace training and education.
Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
Duties
Training and development managers typically do the following:
- Oversee training and development staff
- Assess employees’ needs for training
- Align training with the organization’s goals
- Create and manage training budgets
- Develop and implement training programs
- Review and select training materials from a variety of vendors
- Update training programs to ensure that they are relevant
- Teach training methods and skills to instructors and supervisors
- Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and instructors
Training and development managers oversee training programs, staff, and budgets. They are responsible for creating or selecting course content and materials for training programs. Training may be in the form of a video, self-guided instructional manual, or online application and delivered in person or through a computer or other hand-held electronic device. Training also may be collaborative, with employees informally connecting with experts, mentors, and colleagues, often through social media or other online medium. Managers must ensure that training methods, content, software, systems, and equipment are appropriate.
Training and development managers typically supervise a staff of training and development specialists, such as instructional designers, program developers, and instructors. Managers teach training methods to specialists who, in turn, instruct the organization’s employees—both new and experienced. Managers direct the daily activities of specialists and evaluate their effectiveness. Although training and development managers primarily oversee specialists and program operations, some also conduct training courses.
Training and development managers often confer with managers of other departments to identify training needs. They may work with top executives and financial managers to identify and match training priorities with overall business goals. They may also prepare training budgets and ensure that expenses stay within budget.
Training and development managers held about 42,300 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of training and development managers were as follows:
Professional, scientific, and technical services | 13% |
Management of companies and enterprises | 13 |
Educational services; state, local, and private | 10 |
Healthcare and social assistance | 10 |
Finance and insurance | 9 |
Training and development managers typically work in offices. Some travel between a main office and regional offices or training facilities. They spend much of their time working with people and overseeing training activities.
Work Schedules
Most training and development managers work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of training and development managers.
Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Career and Technical Education Teachers |
Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. |
Bachelor’s degree | $58,110 | |
Compensation and Benefits Managers |
Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees. |
Bachelor’s degree | $122,270 | |
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists conduct an organization’s compensation and benefits programs. |
Bachelor’s degree | $64,560 | |
Human Resources Managers |
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. |
Bachelor’s degree | $116,720 | |
Human Resources Specialists |
Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They also handle employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training. |
Bachelor’s degree | $61,920 | |
Instructional Coordinators |
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness. |
Master’s degree | $66,290 | |
Postsecondary Education Administrators |
Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. |
Master’s degree | $95,410 | |
School and Career Counselors |
School counselors help students develop the academic and social skills needed to succeed. Career counselors help people choose a path to employment. |
Master’s degree | $57,040 | |
Training and Development Specialists |
Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees. |
Bachelor’s degree | $61,210 | |
Labor Relations Specialists |
Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts. |
Bachelor’s degree | $69,020 |
For more information about training and development managers, including certification, visit
Association for Talent Development
International Society for Performance Improvement
For information about human resources management careers and certification, visit
Society for Human Resource Management
CareerOneStop
For a career video on training and development managers, visit
Training and development managers
O*NET
Training and Development Managers
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Managers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (visited ).