| Over
the years, our work has brought us into contact with many
training managers and we are often asked what skills and
attitudes would contribute to excellence in the role.
Our
list is not comprehensive, but offers a fine checklist to
mark yourself against.
Managing
a training department offers a variety of roles that uncovers
natural abilities and potential, while offering specific
areas for development.
Only
you know how good you are in these areas!
Don’t
kid yourself by assuming you are good to excellent at every
one of them.
All
of us have opportunities to advance somewhere, and development
as a training manager offers many opportunities.
Training
Manager Skills Inventory
Below
are 35 key skill areas.
Give
yourself an honest score out of 10, for the items in the
following list and determine where it would be most beneficial
to improve. (10 means you have no improvement to do whatsoever)
Then
ask yourself what benefits you would obtain by improving
in that area.
Be
specific. Be honest.
After
that, draw up a plan that will improve your skills or knowledge
in that key area.
Prioritise
your list so that you spend quality time on areas that will
show the best results.
And
remember to revisit this list often to ensure you’re
up to date in developing your skills as a Professional Training
Manager.
Many
TM’s have given this questionnaire to their line manager
to complete on them as well – valuable feedback!
Key
Skill Areas
- Knowledge
of training, learning and the business as a whole
-
Knowledge of the function of the training department,
training options available, and differing learning and
training styles,
-
Having a systematic approach to training, an understanding
of design, tailored training and an appreciation of the
challenges trainers face
- Knowledge
of HR and the strategic developments in the HR/T&D
world
-
Understanding of key techniques – TNA, evaluation,
transfer of learning (putting learning in to practice
in the workplace)
-
Able to develop policy and strategy
-
Aware of sources of advice, materials, suppliers and contacts
-
An ambassador of training and development; able to promote
new approaches to learning and development as appropriate
-
Excellent consultancy skills; able to use training to
change and organise organisational development
-
Marketing skills; a good understanding of internal marketing
and publicity, a good networker
-
Responsible, reliable and accountable, ethical and able
to instil a clear sense of purpose in others
-
Able to develop a culture of high standards, excellent
quality and customer responsiveness
-
Good decision maker, able to recognise the impact of decisions,
having good judgement
-
A Problem solver, dealing with practical, people and ‘political’
problems
-
Innovative, able to develop new concepts and to deliver
creative solutions
-
An understanding of technology and its role in T&D
– from e-learning to training administration systems,
being computer literate
-
Having Financial acumen, discerning value and an ability
to tackle ROI issues
-
Procurement and contract management skills; able to get
the best from training suppliers
-
Able to manage and develop trainers and to manage administrators
and administrative processes
-
Approachable; someone who others seek out for advice
-
Good communicator, able to present with credibility and
authority
-
Assertive; commanding respect
-
Well organised; a ‘knowledge manager’
-
Able to plan, and then be flexible within that plan
-
Competent negotiator, always able to see the win/win situation
-
Is Proactive, having drive and commitment
-
Effective at managing client and stakeholder relationships
-
Willing to challenge and push boundaries
-
Willing to listen and build rapport
-
Able to give good and consistent advice
-
Able to think strategically and at an individual level
-
Able to influence upwards
-
Able to influence sideways
-
Able to influence downwards
-
Able to influence outwards
Now
reflect on the scores you have just written and complete
the following:
My
key strength areas are:
Areas
that need most improvement:
Action
plan of next steps:
BACK
TO ARTICLES SECTION
Call
us, email or complete our online form below
to
discuss your requirements
CALL
US
0800
849 6732
EMAIL
US
Send
us an email to enquiries@training-manager.co.uk
ONLINE
FORM
Fill
out our online form below with what you are looking for
and what you would like to achieve and we will get back
to you with some options.
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