Training and development officer : Entry requirements

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1. Job description
2. Salary and conditions
3. Entry requirements
4. Training
5. Career development
6. Employers and vacancy …
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• Training and development officer: Anne

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Although this area of work is open to all graduates/diplomates, the following degree/HND subjects may improve your chances:

• business and related areas;
• psychology;
• human resources;
• IT.

Business-related or psychology degrees may gain some exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) examinations and will aid entry to specialised graduate schemes.

Entry into training and development is possible without a degree, particularly if relevant experience and skills have been attained.

Although a postgraduate qualification is not necessary, a Masters degree or diploma recognised by the CIPD will improve your chances of entry. If you have a postgraduate qualification that is not approved by the CIPD, you may still be able to get CIPD accreditation through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL).

Specialisation in training and development often follows general personnel experience, and new graduates are not always recruited straight into a training role. It is also fairly common to work your way up from roles such as assistant training officer or administration assistant.

Experience gained through activities requiring leadership and motivational abilities may boost your application. While still at university, consider getting involved in societies that enable you to develop organisational and teamwork skills.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• interpersonal skills that enable you to work with people at all levels, motivate others and change people's attitudes when necessary;
• written and spoken communication skills that allow you to inform and advise others clearly;
• problem-solving and negotiation skills;
• initiative and the ability to offer new ideas;
• organisational and planning skills to manage your time and to meet deadlines and objectives;
• good time-keeping skills to enable you to effectively manage training schedules;
• personal commitment to improving your own knowledge and skills.

Competition among graduates is increasing so those with good business/organisational skills could look for jobs in training administration as an alternative starting point and then progress into a training and development role.

If you are unable to find a paid summer placement in order to gain relevant work experience, try approaching employers about shadowing. Since this is unpaid and does not require specific training time they may be more willing to agree to it. Another alternative is carrying out some voluntary work though it may be difficult to find relevant opportunities.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.