IT trainer

IT trainers design and deliver training courses in information technology both in person and online

You may support learners on a one-to-one basis, in small groups or by facilitating large group training sessions.

You may teach general user skills, including:

• how to use common desktop applications such as Microsoft Office
• PC maintenance
• how to use company-specific applications
• online safety
• how to use internet browsers to manage your everyday life, for example to find information, shop and manage your money.

Alternatively, you may cover more advanced technology, such as programming or web design, processing skills like project management and specialist applications such as SAP.

You can work in a variety of places such as colleges, universities and education centres, training departments in large companies, or for training companies and consultancies.

You'll also be responsible for the application of learning technologies to transfer skills, in both IT and non-IT subjects. These include:

• e-assessment
• enterprise content management
• performance management tools
• social networking
• virtual labs.

Responsibilities

Your activities will depend, to a certain extent, on your area of expertise. You will generally focus on either desktop software applications (such as spreadsheets, databases, word processing and presentations) or on technical training, although some IT trainers may cover both.

However, as an IT trainer, you'll typically need to:

• carry out a training needs analysis and define the skill sets needed to perform different roles
• conduct performance assessments to identify any skills gaps between current and desirable learner skill levels
• design training programmes appropriate to the skills needed - this can be at beginner, intermediate or advanced level
• develop a mix of formal and informal development activities
• create and maintain comprehensive training materials and documents such as handouts, manuals, quick guides, exercises, videos and blog posts
• prepare the learning environment and resources, including setting up IT equipment where appropriate
• deliver training programmes both in person and online
• ensure that the learning environment and resources support learner needs
• support and coach learners using a range of learning technologies
• motivate and mentor learners so that they are invested in their own development
• answer learner queries, provide advice on further learning resources and troubleshoot any problems
• collect feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes and learning outcomes
• develop training based on course evaluations, for example removing old content or creating new content
• liaise with partners (e.g. external course providers, employers, examining bodies and professional institutes) to fulfil the skills needs of an organisation
• develop peer networks to keep up to date with current thinking
• maintain accurate records of training activities, attendance, learner development and resource allocation
• keep up to date with the latest developments in IT and incorporate them into relevant training sessions.

In more senior roles, you may also need to:

• lead a team of trainers, providing professional support and advising on delivering training
• develop and implement an IT training strategy for an organisation
• support the overall development of IT services
• advise on IT projects.

Salary

• Starting salaries are usually between £22,000 and £28,000, depending on your experience, location and type of employer.
• With a few years' experience, you could between £30,000 and £45,000.
• As an experienced IT trainer in a senior role, you can expect to earn up to around £60,000.

Salaries vary depending on a range of factors such as your location, type and size of employer, as well as your experience, qualifications and level of responsibility. Salaries can also be higher for trainers in specialised or technical areas of work.

Rates of pay for freelance or self-employed trainers range from around £250 to £400, although regular work is not guaranteed.

Additional benefits, such as a company car, pension, laptop, phone and bonus, may be available, depending on the type of employer and your role.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are typically 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may need to conduct staff training outside office hours or at weekends.

Flexible and part-time work is fairly common and career breaks are possible, but it's vital that you keep your skills and knowledge up to date. There may also be opportunities for hybrid working.

What to expect

• You'll generally be office based. However, you may visit venues and businesses to train and teach depending on the type of employer you work for.
• Dress codes vary with different employers and client groups, but being well presented is important.
• Travel within the working day is necessary to visit clients and you may need to stay away from home overnight.
• Depending on the organisation, your job may involve overseas travel.

Qualifications

Although you can work as an IT trainer with a degree, foundation degree or HND in any subject, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• business
• computer science
• human resources
• information technology
• management.

You'll need to have knowledge in the IT area that you want to teach, and it's usual to have a recognised IT qualification. Personal qualities and training skills are also important as you need to motivate learners in order to pass on your knowledge.

Digital skills qualifications such as the International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL), for example, are useful if you want to train end users, as they provide a good foundation in office-based applications. Find out more from BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT. Microsoft Office Specialist Qualifications are also valuable.

Technical qualifications and experience are important if you're delivering more technical IT training.

You can enter this area without a degree or HND if you have a lot of experience using relevant IT systems and packages. You may work your way up from an entry-level IT job and then moved into training.

It's also possible to do an IT apprenticeship, combining paid work with study for a qualification.

It can also be useful to have a relevant qualification in learning and development, such as those provided by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. You could also take the Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

A postgraduate qualification isn't essential but may be useful if your first degree is in an unrelated subject. Research courses thoroughly to make sure they meet your career aims. Search postgraduate courses in information technology.

It's also possible to move from an IT or teaching role into training.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• an aptitude for IT and an up-to-date knowledge of common software packages and IT systems
• comprehensive computing capabilities for more specialist areas
• good oral and written communication skills to design and deliver training in a clear and easy to understand way
• well-developed interpersonal and active listening skills to facilitate learning
• a high level of organisation
• project management skills
• confidence in training and presentation delivery
• patience
• attention to detail
• customer service skills
• a creative and flexible approach to learning and problem-solving
• the ability to work as part of a team with other trainers
• self-motivation, with the ability to lead and motivate others
• a willingness to keep learning throughout your career.

You may need a full driving licence if your job involves travelling to training facilities.

You'll also need an understanding of IT accessibility and usability issues.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience in an IT or digital skills role is essential, as well as experience of providing training. For desktop applications, you'll need experience of using a range of software packages.

Some degree courses include a year-out in industry and you can take this time to develop your skills and knowledge and to build up a network of contacts. You could also do a summer internship or work placement to develop your skills.

You could also write speculatively to training providers, companies in the IT sector, in-house training teams or educational institutions to ask about work experience opportunities.

Experience of teaching or mentoring is useful. Any role where you are helping people learn can help you develop your training skills. Examples include helping older people to use the internet to help them manage their everyday lives or working with young people to help them gain basic IT skills.

Many employers, particularly end-user organisations, prefer you to have some experience of their sector, as it's essential that you understand the business context for the training you will deliver.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The use of IT is widespread so trainers with diverse knowledge and experience are in demand across all industries and environments.

Typical employers include:

• companies that have IT trainers as part of their permanent IT team
• universities, colleges and other academic establishments where the learners are students and staff
• training providers
• learning technology providers - training on the deployment of their technologies
• IT providers - offering training on their products and services
• public and private sector users of IT.

Within the IT industry, potential employers can be categorised as:

• applications providers
• communications providers
• consultancies
• full-service companies
• outsourced services
• resourcing providers
• software providers
• system integrators
• thought leaders.

End-user organisations, in which IT is not the primary business, generally employ trainers to ensure effective deployment of new technologies or the effective use of learning technologies.

You can work on either a self-employed or freelance basis if you have experience. This involves either working alone or in association with one of the trainer resourcing organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Contractor UK
• CWJobs
• IT Jobs Watch
• Technojobs
• Women in Technology

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Blue Eskimo commonly handle vacancies.

Vacancies are also advertised in the IT specialist press and on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.

Professional development

There are many courses available for both technical and desktop application trainers and you'll need to research which courses are most appropriate for your career direction.

Technical qualifications are extremely useful if you're a technical trainer and many training providers will encourage you to acquire them early in your career.

Some employers provide fully-funded training, while others provide no training at all - employing only experienced trainers or those who already have training certificates. Others will give time off for relevant courses or sponsor qualifications taken in your own time.

You'll also need to develop your training delivery skills. Training providers such as TAP Learning (part of QA) run relevant courses in areas such as training delivery skills, facilitation skills, learning evaluation and e-learning design.

Membership of a professional body is also useful for courses, events, news, networking opportunities and advice. Relevant bodies include:

• BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT)
• Learning and Performance Institute (LPI)

Career prospects

If you're working for a large organisation with a permanent IT or training team, you could move into a senior or lead trainer role, with responsibility for a team of trainers. This may involve writing materials for other trainers to use. Alternatively, you could take a more strategic approach to learning and development in a training or department manager role.

If you're working for a training company or consultancy, there may be opportunities to get more involved in account management, business development or marketing. Alternatively, you could choose to move into a more specialist area of training. You could also progress into an area training coordinator role, responsible for training in a particular region.

Once you have experience and a network of contacts, it may be possible to set up as a freelance trainer or establish your own training company.

Other options include working as a lecturer in a further education (FE) college or adult learning organisation, or for an IT or learning and development consultancy. You could also move into related areas such as project management, publishing or technical writing.