What is a training consultant and what do they do?

The figure of the training consultant is something of an unknown quantity. We often take it for granted that HR consultants cover all subjects, and although this is sometimes the case, some experts have their own specialist areas.

In the rest of this article, we will look further at the role of the business training consultant to understand what their responsibilities are.

The training consultant definition

A training consultant is the person in charge of designing and optimising training programs for organisations. Their job involves evaluating any plans already in place, aligning training programs with the company’s goals and facilitating learning opportunities. They can also create teaching materials and lead courses. 

They are generally external consultants, and their services aim to help companies make their training more effective. 

What qualifications and skills does a training consultant need?

According to data from Zippia, 37.7% of training consultants have a bachelor’s degree and 35.1% also have a masters or postgraduate qualification. We should, therefore, count higher education among the desired criteria for becoming a training consultant.

The following skills are also a must:

• Ability to analyse and synthesise information.
• Listening skills.
• Good communicator.
• Organisation.
• Teamworking.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Flexibility.

However, nothing beats experience. It is essential to have a good foundation to work from when you are advising companies and looking for the ideal solution to their problems. In general, all consultants will have a long career history at their backs.

Training consultant duties

A training consultant’s job involves preparing, evaluating, and implementing training programs for an organisation’s employees. However, we wanted to put together a list of some more specific duties to understand their role better. 

• Advise and provide guidance on the design and implementation of training plans.
• Assessment and quality control at training centres. 
• Analysing and identifying training needs within a company. 
• Design and create training platforms for companies.
• Create training, coaching and mentoring policies.
• Advise organisations when choosing courses, training tools, etc.
• Creating teaching materials for organisations. 
• Analysing and evaluating training plan results and proposing improvements.  

How much does a training consultant earn?

Data from Glassdoor place the average starting salary for a training consultant in the UK at £31,359. In the US, other sources put the average salary as high as $66,893 (approx. £47,800).

Of course, this figure will vary depending on the consultant’s skills and experience. A junior consultant will earn much less that someone with extensive experience and a good reputation in the profession. 

How do you become a training consultant?

As we saw above, you will usually need a degree qualification, which could be related to psychology, teaching, education, etc. Choosing the right degree is the first essential step towards becoming a consultant. 

As well as this, you will need to develop certain skills. The most important ones for a training consultant include creativity, an analytical eye, and the ability to deliver training. 

Finally, as we have already mentioned, gain experience. Usually, you’ll start by working for an employer to gain the skills required to make a career in consulting. Try to gain as much new expertise as possible, attend courses, specialise, and find your niche for the future. 

How to choose a good training consultant?

Training consultancy is a very specific area which may make it more difficult to find the experts you need. However, don’t go for the first one you find. Do your research and speak to different experts before deciding.

Some aspects to consider during your search:

• Review each consultant’s website in depth. Find out about their values, previous experience, and other companies they have worked for, to get an idea of their capabilities. 
• Look for or read opinions from other professionals within the sector. You can also ask colleagues if they have any recommendations. References can be very useful to help you make your decision.

Finally, in general, when you’re hiring a training consultant, go with the one who understands your business values and supports your vision. It will be much easier to work with them and the results will speak for themselves.