Job description for an IT trainer | IT Careers

Job description

IT trainers generally design and deliver training courses in information and communications technology (ICT) including desktop applications and company-specific software. They may also provide training in more technical areas for software engineers, technicians, website designers and programmers. IT trainers work in colleges, training companies and within the training departments of large companies and public sector organisations. Many IT trainers are self-employed, and this is a growing trend.

In the UK alone there are 1.2 million people working in IT; this accounts for approximately 2% of all UK employment. All these users require training and consequently there is a growing demand for IT trainers.

Typical work activities

Training generally falls into two categories: desktop software applications (word processing, databases, spreadsheets, internet and email, presentations and desktop publishing); and technical areas such as programming, web design, networking and PC maintenance. IT trainers are increasingly called upon to teach learners how to use mobile ICT equipment such as BlackBerries. Trainers usually specialise in one field, although it is possible, with sufficient expertise, to cover all areas. Typical work activities are likely to include:

• carrying out training needs analyses: the level of people's knowledge can vary greatly, so you may be delivering sessions on the basics of PC operation or teaching very experienced computer users new programming languages or how to use the latest hardware;
• designing course materials and other documents such as handouts, manuals and exercises;
• organising and marketing courses to meet the needs of learners and demands of business;
• preparing the learning environment and resources, including setting up IT equipment;
• delivering training programmes to clients either in a group classroom setting, or online through an e-learning or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), or on a one-to-one basis;
• supporting and coaching learners using VLE or self-learning packages;
• evaluating the effectiveness of the training and course outcomes;
• liaising with external course providers, employers, clients, examining bodies and software companies, etc.;
• taking responsibility for maintenance of hardware and software used for training purposes and recommending repairs and upgrades to management where appropriate;
• keeping up to date with relevant systems, software and online training technology;
• dealing with administrative records.

In larger companies or training consultancies, the work may involve training end-users to deliver their own on-the-job training. In smaller companies, the role of an IT trainer may form part of another role, such as technical help desk support or IT sales worker.