How Can I Kickstart a Career in Training and Development with a Distance Learning Diploma?

Dear Cite HR members, I have a query on how to establish a successful career in the field of training and development. I am from Delhi and I am aware of the institute, ISTD, which offers a diploma in Training and Development. However, after the completion of the course, are the students also placed by ISTD, considering it is a distance learning course?

Alternatives for Starting a Career in Training and Development

What are the other alternatives that one can consider when starting a career in training and development? I hope all trainers (corporate, freelance) and professionals in T&D would suggest many ways through which I can establish a career in T&D.

Just to add, I have completed my Bachelor of Science in Management from an International University and I am about to finish my Master's in HR from Symbiosis distance learning. I have almost 2 years of experience in the field of HR, mainly in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and internal communication.

Regards

I don't think ISTD handles the placement of students. You will have to find your own way. The best way is to join any T&D company as a fresher trainer and then work your way upwards. You can also use the LinkedIn training forums, which are very active for opportunities as well as for knowledge sharing. Additionally, you can explore training programs, workshops, activities, etc., on YouTube. It's a growing and challenging field with plenty of opportunities for good and dedicated trainers.

All the best!

Hi all, I would like to hear more about experiences and the options that I could look at. So I am wondering, people who are trainers, how did you all begin? Kindly suggest.

Thanks

I completed my ISTD diploma last year. They do not provide any placement support. There is one more option, ASTD (American Society of Training and Development); they also provide a similar diploma, but I am not sure about placements. If you really want to start your career as a Trainer (Soft and Behavioral Skills), the best way is to learn from scratch. Try to join an organization as a Management Trainee in the T&D department where you'll learn the basics for at least a period of 6 months. Observe the Trainers, prepare content, etc. Getting the right mentor is very important. I joined an organization as a Management Trainee in 2003. You are most welcome to contact me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]. Hope it helps.

Regards,
Kanika Kapoor

There is no need to join any course for T&D. You should focus on improving your communication skills and select the subject you wish to specialize in as a trainer.

Regards,

Dear Kanika,

Thank you for your valuable suggestions. I have been looking for opportunities as a Management Trainee but have failed to secure any. I have almost two years of experience in Recruitment and am currently working as an HR coordinator, responsible for preparing modules and conducting training. The issue here is that there is no one from whom I can learn or who can guide me.

I have not been able to develop my core interest in training, so I wanted to know if obtaining a diploma in T&D would help me secure job opportunities in a similar field. Kindly suggest what I can do and how I should proceed.

Kind regards

The primary requirement to be a trainer is good communication skills and loads of self-confidence. If you have these, then focus on those topics that you are familiar with, confident about, passionate about, or have a good grounding in. Keep updating yourself by reading extensively and start outlining the broad course contents, keeping in mind the type of audience you are likely to address. In particular, pay attention to the type of exercises, examples, and activities that you will use during the program to reinforce a point or make the learning relevant.

If you have no corporate training experience, ideally take a few sessions for postgraduate students in colleges or for social service clubs like Lions and Rotary's so that you gain experience and can fine-tune your material. Once you are confident, approach a few corporates. The first few training programs are vital for future reference and for your own confidence.

If possible, attend a Train The Trainers (TTT) program and also be a participant in a couple of corporate training programs so that you have a better understanding of how the sessions are conducted. I would also urge you to go through the syllabus of the Indian Society for Training and Development headquartered in New Delhi. I am sure if you do the course, it would add weight to your resume and possibly help you get a few opportunities in T&D in the corporate world.

Best Wishes