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
Mid-Level Onboarding Specialist
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- You'd need to master independent programme delivery, demonstrate a strong ability to update and create engaging content, and show you can effectively gather and act on new hire feedback.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently high new hire satisfaction scores for programmes you've delivered.
- Proactive identification of programme issues and proposal of solutions.
- Successful management of the buddy programme or similar peer-support initiatives.
- Strong command of our LMS and content authoring tools for routine tasks.
- 2
L&D Specialist (Generalist)
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- You'd need to broaden your L&D experience beyond just onboarding, perhaps by working on leadership development, compliance training, or performance management initiatives. A strong focus on instructional design and programme evaluation would be key.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience designing and delivering various types of training (not just onboarding).
- Ability to conduct thorough needs analyses for diverse learning requirements.
- Strong project management skills for managing multiple training initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to measure the impact of learning interventions.
- 3
HR Business Partner (with L&D focus)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- This path would require you to develop a broader understanding of HR functions (employee relations, compensation, talent management) and to build strong consulting skills to advise business leaders on people strategies. Your L&D background would be a huge asset.
You're ready to move on when
- Excellent stakeholder management and consulting skills.
- A solid understanding of business operations and strategic objectives.
- Experience advising managers on performance, development, and talent issues.
- A proactive approach to identifying and addressing people-related challenges.