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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Industrial Trainer

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Education & TrainingManufacturingHuman ResourcesOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Industrial Trainer is a key facilitator of organizational knowledge, responsible for the end-to-end process of employee skill development in a manufacturing or industrial setting. This includes identifying training needs, designing and developing comprehensive training materials, and delivering engaging hands-on and classroom-based instruction. They are the primary resource for new hire onboarding, technical skills enhancement, and safety protocol training, ensuring that all team members are competent, confident, and aligned with company standards and regulatory requirements. This role directly impacts operational efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Production Operator / Technician
  • Production Supervisor / Team Lead
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Quality Assurance Technician

Advancement To:

  • Training and Development Manager
  • Learning & Development Specialist
  • Operations Manager
  • Continuous Improvement Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Instructional Designer
  • Human Resources Generalist
  • Quality Assurance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, develop, and deliver comprehensive training programs for new and existing employees on standard operating procedures (SOPs), machine operation, and production processes.
  • Conduct hands-on, on-the-floor training and coaching to ensure employees can safely and efficiently operate machinery and equipment according to company standards.
  • Develop and maintain a repository of training materials, including instructional manuals, job aids, presentations, e-learning modules, and skills assessment documents.
  • Facilitate new hire orientation and onboarding programs, ensuring a smooth integration into the company culture, safety protocols, and job-specific responsibilities.
  • Assess employee competency and training effectiveness through practical observations, skills demonstrations, written examinations, and feedback sessions.
  • Lead critical safety training initiatives, covering topics such as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, and emergency response procedures.
  • Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), including engineers, supervisors, and senior technicians, to ensure training content is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
  • Identify and analyze training needs and skills gaps across the organization by working closely with department managers and reviewing performance data.
  • Manage and maintain all training records, certifications, and documentation within the Learning Management System (LMS) or other designated tracking systems.
  • Revise and update existing training programs and materials in response to new technology, process changes, quality feedback, or updated regulatory requirements.
  • Implement "Train the Trainer" programs to empower team leads and supervisors to conduct initial and ongoing training within their departments.
  • Create and manage skills matrices to track employee capabilities and support strategic cross-training efforts to increase workforce flexibility.
  • Conduct regular audits of operational practices on the production floor to verify that procedures are being followed as trained and identify areas for re-training.
  • Provide targeted coaching and remediation for employees who are not meeting performance expectations or competency standards.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement by integrating principles of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Six Sigma into training content and delivery.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the development and rollout of new operational processes by creating and delivering just-in-time training for affected teams.
  • Collaborate with the Human Resources department on succession planning by identifying and developing high-potential employees for future leadership roles.
  • Participate in incident investigations to identify root causes related to human error and recommend corrective training actions.
  • Generate and present regular reports to management on training activities, completion rates, competency levels, and the overall impact of training initiatives.
  • Assist in the evaluation and selection of new training technologies, software, and external training vendors.
  • Partner with the Quality department to align training programs with ISO, cGMP, or other relevant quality management system standards.
  • Facilitate team-building and communication workshops to improve departmental collaboration and morale.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Instructional Design & Curriculum Development: Proven ability to create engaging and effective training materials for an adult, hands-on learner audience.
  • Manufacturing Process Knowledge: Deep understanding of industrial processes, machinery, and equipment relevant to the specific industry (e.g., CNC machining, assembly, chemical processing).
  • Safety Regulation Expertise: Strong knowledge of OSHA standards, LOTO, forklift safety, and other relevant industrial safety regulations.
  • Learning Management System (LMS) Administration: Proficiency in using and managing LMS platforms for course deployment, tracking, and reporting.
  • Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and training manuals.
  • Competency Assessment: Skill in developing and administering both practical and theoretical tests to validate employee knowledge and skills.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Communication & Public Speaking: Ability to convey complex information clearly and confidently to diverse audiences, from new hires to senior management.
  • Patience & Empathy: A patient and encouraging demeanor, capable of working effectively with learners of all skill levels and backgrounds.
  • Coaching & Mentoring: A natural ability to guide, mentor, and develop others, providing constructive feedback to foster growth.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust training methods and content on the fly to meet the needs of the learners and the business.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify the root cause of performance issues and recommend effective training solutions.
  • Active Listening: The skill to listen attentively to understand employee questions, concerns, and feedback to improve the training experience.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED, combined with significant direct experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
  • Certification in training and development (e.g., CPTD, ATD) is a strong plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Adult Education & Training
  • Instructional Design
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial or Mechanical Engineering
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of combined experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting.

Preferred:

  • At least 2-3 years of direct experience in a training, teaching, or mentoring role within an industrial environment.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and delivering technical and safety-related training content.
  • Hands-on experience as a machine operator, technician, or production lead is highly desirable.
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