Corporate training as a career

Corporate training is a career option that generates a lot of curiosity. It not just sounds exciting but also offers great opportunities. Here are a few things that you need to know about a career in the field.

What is corporate training?

Training employees in organisations on skills/topics that will help them do their jobs better. The topics range from soft skills and communication to team building, leadership skills, decision making, problem solving among others. Technical topics might include new softwares that can used or more recently, how to use social media tools.

A trainer is usually the subject matter expert who ascertains the gaps in knowledge of the participants and builds content of the training and delivers it.

How do I become a trainer?

Corporate training is not yet a stream that is taught in colleges. At best, you have online resources to learn about the training industry, how the training process works etc. However, it is a good idea to get yourself certified to begin with . A general certificate in training skills like the Train The Trainer (commonly known as T3) from a reputed brand is a good idea. Once you decide what stream you want to train in, you can go in for additional certifications. For instance, there are language certifications, social media courses, computer skills certificates etc that you can pursue. This helps you project yourself as an expert in that particular field.

What else do I need?

You need some basic skills and flair for training people to get into this field. Some of them are:

Communication skills: It is very important to be able to explain concepts, answer questions and hold the attention of the class through the session. And communication skills are very important for that.

Willingness to learn: Since there are no formal studies in many corporate topics you’ll be required to train in, the learning happens along the way. Self-learning skills can be critical to a career as a corporate trainer.

Marketing yourself: If you choose to go on your own, you will need to make efforts to find work. Social media, online job portals, Linkedin groups, industry events - you’ll need to be active on all platforms where you can connect with people and find training opportunities.

How do I start working?

You have 2 options to work as a trainer. You can join an organization full time in their HR department. Or also work full time with a consultant who has clients and you will be responsible for designing content and delivery. Secondly, you can also be on your own and approach companies to get training assignments.

Joining an organization gives security and a decent salary but freelancing can give you freedom. As a full time employee with a consultant, salary can start from 15-20K while a new freelance trainer can pick up assignment beginning at 3K for 8 hours of training. A lot more effort is required as a freelancer since you need to find clients, pitch to them and bag assignments. Some become long term associations and that helps.

Corporate training is a great career for you if you love meeting people and want to make a difference to their lives through the skills you have.

By Suman Kher
The author is a certified trainer and coach. She has 13 years of experience in soft skills and communication training. 

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