Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a General Trainer

🎯 Role Definition

At the heart of our organization's success are our people. The General Trainer is the catalyst for unlocking their potential. This role isn't just about delivering presentations; it's about creating dynamic learning experiences that empower employees, enhance their skills, and drive both personal and professional growth. You will be a key partner in shaping our company culture, ensuring our teams have the knowledge and tools they need to excel. By designing, delivering, and refining training programs across various departments, you will directly contribute to operational efficiency, employee engagement, and the achievement of our strategic business goals. You are an architect of knowledge, a mentor, and a vital link in our continuous improvement journey.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a specific business unit (e.g., Sales, Operations, Tech)
HR Coordinator or Generalist
Team Lead or Supervisor with a passion for mentoring
K-12 or Higher Education Teacher transitioning to a corporate environment

Advancement To:

Senior Trainer or Lead Trainer
Training Manager / Learning & Development Manager
Instructional Designer
Organizational Development Specialist

Lateral Moves:

HR Business Partner
Employee Engagement Specialist
Talent Management Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop, and deliver comprehensive and engaging training programs for new hires and existing employees across various departments and seniority levels.
Conduct thorough training needs analyses (TNA) through surveys, interviews, and collaboration with department managers to identify skill gaps and knowledge deficits.
Utilize a wide variety of instructional techniques, training methodologies, and distribution formats (e.g., simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, lectures) to create an effective and engaging learning environment.
Create, update, and maintain a repository of high-quality training materials, including facilitator guides, participant workbooks, presentation decks, job aids, and eLearning modules.
Facilitate both in-person, instructor-led training (ILT) sessions and virtual, synchronous learning events, demonstrating exceptional classroom management and virtual engagement skills.
Develop and implement robust assessment methods, such as quizzes, practical exercises, and post-training evaluations, to measure learning effectiveness and knowledge retention.
Evaluate the business impact and ROI of training programs by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and gathering feedback from participants and their managers.
Collaborate closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) from different business areas to ensure the technical accuracy, relevance, and currency of all training content.
Manage the full lifecycle of training projects, from initial concept and needs assessment through to delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Adapt training content and delivery style to accommodate diverse audiences with varying levels of experience, learning preferences, and cultural backgrounds.
Research and recommend new and innovative training approaches, technologies, and best practices to keep our learning and development initiatives modern and impactful.
Administer and manage the company's Learning Management System (LMS), including course creation, user enrollment, progress tracking, and report generation.
Provide one-on-one coaching and follow-up support to employees post-training to reinforce learning and facilitate the application of new skills on the job.
Develop and manage training schedules, coordinating logistics such as room booking, equipment setup, and material distribution for all training events.
Act as a key resource and consultant for departmental leaders seeking to develop custom training solutions for their teams.
Lead the onboarding training program for all new employees, ensuring a consistent and positive introduction to the company's culture, policies, and operational systems.
Create and curate content for asynchronous (self-paced) learning paths, leveraging eLearning authoring tools and multimedia.
Gather, analyze, and present data on training completion, satisfaction, and effectiveness to key stakeholders and the leadership team.
Foster a culture of continuous learning and development by promoting training opportunities and championing employee growth.
Partner with the HR team on cross-functional initiatives related to talent management, performance reviews, and succession planning.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and update the Learning Management System (LMS) with new courses, resources, and user data.
Assist in the development and management of the annual training and development budget.
Collaborate with the internal communications team to market and promote upcoming learning opportunities to the wider organization.
Participate in "train-the-trainer" programs to empower departmental SMEs to deliver specialized training effectively.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Instructional Design Principles: Deep understanding of adult learning theories (like ADDIE, SAM, and Kirkpatrick's Model) to build effective and structured learning experiences.
LMS Administration: Proficiency in managing and utilizing Learning Management Systems (e.g., Cornerstone, Docebo, Moodle) for course deployment and tracking.
eLearning Authoring Tools: Experience with software like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or Rise to create interactive online courses.
Presentation & Facilitation Software: Mastery of Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote, as well as virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex.
Needs Assessment & Analysis: Ability to design and execute surveys, interviews, and focus groups to accurately identify training needs and measure outcomes.
Project Management: Skills in managing training projects from inception to completion, including scheduling, resource allocation, and stakeholder management.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication (Verbal & Written): The ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Public Speaking & Dynamic Presentation: Confidence and charisma in front of a group, with the ability to hold attention and facilitate interaction both in-person and virtually.
Adaptability & Flexibility: The capacity to pivot delivery style, content, and approach on the fly in response to audience needs and changing priorities.
Empathy & Interpersonal Acumen: A genuine ability to connect with learners, understand their challenges, and build a supportive, trust-based learning environment.
Active Listening: The skill to attentively listen to questions and feedback from learners and stakeholders to ensure training is relevant and effective.
Motivational Skills: The ability to inspire and encourage learners, fostering a positive attitude towards personal and professional development.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field or a professional training certification (e.g., CPTD, CPLP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Human Resources
Adult Education or Corporate Training
Organizational Psychology or Development
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of direct experience in a corporate training, teaching, or learning and development role.

Preferred:

Proven track record of designing and delivering successful training programs in a fast-paced corporate setting.
Demonstrable experience facilitating training for a variety of topics, including soft skills, leadership, systems, and compliance.
Experience with both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) training development and delivery.