What does a learning specialist do?

Learning specialists design, implement and evaluate learning and development initiatives in an organisation to enhance employee skills and performance. They identify learning needs, design and deliver training programs, and assess learning outcomes to support employee growth.

The role of learning specialists includes assessing the effectiveness of learning programs, creating and maintaining learning materials, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing programs, and developing and implementing learning initiatives and activities. They also collaborate with stakeholders to assess learning needs, develop training materials and facilitate training sessions using various methodologies.

In the Indian corporate landscape, where companies seek to remain agile and competitive, learning specialists help employees with talent development and continuous learning. They also contribute to employee engagement, talent retention and overall organisational performance. These professionals are essential for companies due to the rapid pace of technological advancements and the need for upskilling and reskilling employees to stay ahead in the market.

The roles and responsibilities of learning specialists and training specialists may overlap. They are also called learning and development specialists or training and development specialists.

Job Description: Template

We’re seeking a results-driven learning specialist to join our team at [Company X].

You will design, implement and manage learning and development initiatives to support the growth and development of our employees. You will also review training needs, design training programs and deliver learning experiences to enhance employee skills and performance.

If you are a seasoned and innovative professional with a passion for fostering learning and development in the workplace, we invite you to apply for the role. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Objectives of this role

  • Assessing learning and development needs through surveys, interviews and performance evaluations to identify skill gaps and training priorities.
  • Designing, developing and implementing training programs and curricula using various instructional techniques, such as on-field training, e-learning and simulations.
  • Collaborating with subject matter experts, trainers and stakeholders to ensure training content is accurate, relevant and engaging.
  • Facilitating training sessions and workshops, providing instruction, guidance and support to participants.
  • Evaluating training effectiveness through assessments, surveys and feedback to measure learning outcomes and make continuous improvements.
  • Managing learning platforms and technologies to deliver, track and report on training activities and outcomes.

Your tasks

  • Develop and maintain training materials, presentations and resources to support learning objectives and outcomes.
  • Coordinate training logistics, including scheduling, facilities, materials and resources.
  • Monitor and evaluate training delivery and effectiveness, making adjustments to improve outcomes.
  • Provide coaching and support to trainers and facilitators to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
  • Track and report on training metrics and KPIs to measure the impact and ROI of training programs.
  • Collaborate with HR and department managers to identify learning and development needs and priorities.
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning and development throughout the company.
  • Stay updated on industry trends, best practices and emerging technologies in learning and development. 

Required skills and qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, Instructional Design or similar.
  • 3+ years of proven experience as a learning specialist, training coordinator or similar role in corporate learning and development.
  • Solid understanding of instructional design principles, adult learning theory and training methodologies.
  • Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS) and other training technology platforms.
  • Knowledge of instructional design software and multimedia tools for content creation.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and other software applications.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage learners.
  • Analytical mindset and ability to interpret training data and make data-driven decisions.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organisational and time management abilities.
  • Project management skills for managing training initiatives and timelines. 

Preferred skills and qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Training and Development or a related field.
  • Certification in training and development (e.g. CPTD, CPLP, ATD Master Trainer).
  • Prior experience with e-learning authoring tools and technologies.
  • Experience in developing and delivering virtual and blended learning solutions.
  • Knowledge of competency-based training and performance management.
  • Multilingual proficiency for delivering training to diverse employee populations.