The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
L&D Coordinator / Administrator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- LMS administration, basic content updates, event logistics, stakeholder communication, understanding of L&D processes.
You're ready to move on when
- You've shown initiative in suggesting improvements to existing learning content or processes.
- You're proactively learning about instructional design principles and e-learning tools in your spare time.
- You've successfully managed small-scale learning projects or events from start to finish.
- Your manager trusts you with more complex tasks and you're asking 'why' behind the 'what'.
- 2
HR Generalist with L&D Focus
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding of HR functions, employee lifecycle, basic training delivery, identifying training needs, stakeholder management within HR.
You're ready to move on when
- You're consistently volunteering for L&D-related projects within your HR role.
- You've taken the lead on developing internal training materials or onboarding programmes.
- You're actively seeking to understand business challenges and how learning could help solve them.
- You've demonstrated a knack for simplifying complex HR policies into understandable guidance.
- 3
Junior Instructional Designer (External)
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Proficiency in authoring tools, applying ID models, working with SMEs, creating engaging content, managing small design projects.
You're ready to move on when
- You have a strong portfolio showcasing diverse learning content you've designed.
- You're comfortable taking a content brief and turning it into a structured learning experience.
- You've received positive feedback on the clarity and effectiveness of your designs.
- You're actively seeking opportunities to take on more complex or strategic design challenges.