Training Manager

What You Do

As a training manager you will plan, direct and coordinate all the informatics training activities of an organization. In some instances, you may be involved in the delivery of training programs to assist users.

Who You Do It for

Some training managers are employed by:

• computer hardware and software suppliers
• specialist training organizations
• educational institutions
• financial institutions
• government

How You Do It

As a training manager a major part of your job will involve analyzing the training needs of an organization to determine:

• how to modify or improve existing programs, and
• what new training programs would assist the organization in maximizing its use of information technology.

Training managers cover a variety of activities throughout their job. Depending upon where you are in the hierarchy, on a day-to-day basis you could be:

• designing and delivering training programs,
• developing and organizing training manuals, multimedia aids and other educational material, etc.,
• formulating training policies and schedules,
• evaluating the effectiveness of training programs and other instructor performance, and
• approving and recommending training programs.

Challenges

As a training manager, you will need to be multifaceted. Your challenge will be to continually keep up to date on the latest instructional methods, materials and training techniques, while also understanding the business principles of strategic planning, resource allocation and organizational planning. In addition, since your client group will be made up of users with varying technical expertise, you will need to develop multiple approaches to training.

Working Conditions

Training managers work in comfortable offices. However, they may be required to perform some of their training at clients’ sites. They usually work a 40-hour week, and work little or no overtime.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, training managers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems. Delivering stand-up classroom training all day can be fatiguing, particularly on the back and legs.

As technology becomes more accepted in society, new employment opportunities are being created, and the growth rate is expected to continue to increase. The career future for training managers looks very promising.