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
Training Coordinator / Administrator
1-3 yearsSkills to master
- Logistical planning, LMS administration, stakeholder communication, basic material preparation, understanding training workflows.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently flawless execution of training logistics.
- Proactive identification and resolution of administrative issues.
- Demonstrated ability to support trainers effectively during sessions.
- Expressed interest and aptitude for moving into a delivery role.
- 2
Customer Service / Sales Trainer (Internal)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Product knowledge, customer interaction skills, basic coaching, delivering structured content, handling difficult questions from learners.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of successfully training new hires or upskilling existing teams.
- High learner satisfaction scores from internal training sessions.
- Ability to simplify complex product information for diverse audiences.
- Managerial endorsement of your training capabilities and potential.
- 3
Subject Matter Expert (SME) who trains
3-5 years (in SME role)Skills to master
- Deep domain expertise, presenting to groups, answering complex questions, translating technical info for non-technical audiences, basic facilitation.
You're ready to move on when
- Regularly asked to present or train colleagues on your area of expertise.
- Excellent feedback on your ability to explain complex topics clearly.
- A genuine desire to move into a full-time training role, not just occasional presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a group and keep them engaged.