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
Employee Development Specialist (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering single-topic programme design, effective facilitation of routine sessions, and strong LMS administration. You'll also need to get really good at initial needs analysis and basic evaluation.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully designed and delivered multiple standalone learning modules with positive feedback.
- Consistently met project deadlines and managed stakeholder expectations on smaller projects.
- Demonstrated initiative in identifying learning needs and proposing solutions.
- Proactively sought feedback and applied it to improve your work.
- 2
L&D Coordinator / HR Generalist with L&D Focus
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Moving beyond purely logistical support to actively contributing to content development and delivery. This means taking on more responsibility for instructional design elements and leading smaller training sessions.
You're ready to move on when
- Actively supported the design and delivery of at least 3-5 distinct learning programmes.
- Taken ownership of specific content creation tasks (e.g., drafting job aids, building simple e-learning).
- Received positive feedback on your ability to support facilitators and manage programme logistics effectively.
- Demonstrated a strong interest and foundational understanding of adult learning principles.
- 3
External Training Consultant (Junior/Mid-level)
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Bringing a diverse portfolio of client projects, showcasing adaptability across different industries and learning challenges. You'll need to demonstrate strong client management and solution design skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed multiple client engagements, delivering bespoke learning solutions.
- Proven ability to conduct needs assessments and propose training interventions.
- Strong portfolio of instructional design work across various formats.
- Experience working with different subject matter experts and translating complex topics.