Due to the COVID-19 pandemic some of our job opportunities information may have changed. 

Trainer

Kaiwhakangungu/​Kaiwhakaako

Alternative titles for this job

Trainers plan and provide training courses for employees of businesses, government and other organisations. 

Pay

Trainers usually earn

$56K-$82K per year

Training advisers usually earn

$82K-$128K per year

Source: Hays, 2020.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a trainer are good due to high demand.

Pay

Pay for trainers varies depending on skills and experience.

  • Training coordinators usually earn between $56,000 and $82,000 a year
  • Training advisers usually earn between $82,000 and $128,000.

Source: Hays, 'FY 2020/21 Salary Guide', 2020.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

What you will do

Trainers may do some or all of the following:

  • assess the needs of trainees
  • design face-to-face learning activities and training programmes for organisations
  • design online instructional tools and learning programmes
  • create and implement coaching plans
  • run training programmes and learning activities
  • develop resources
  • create assessment standards and outcomes
  • measure learning both pre and post-training
  • provide assessment data and feedback to trainees and the organisation.

Skills and knowledge

Trainers need to have:

  • knowledge of the subject area they are teaching
  • coaching and teaching skills
  • an understanding of learning theories and learner behaviour principles
  • skills in designing learner modules, for both online and face-to-face training
  • an understanding of UX (user experience) design and accessibility requirements
  • IT skills.

Working conditions

Trainers:

  • usually work regular office hours, but may also work evenings and weekends
  • may work in different locations, including offices, workshops and classrooms
  • may travel to run training workshops and courses.

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a trainer. However, you need to have experience in a particular field before you can train others. Examples of such fields include:

  • teaching – especially literacy and numeracy
  • management
  • human resources
  • computer administration and programming
  • trades.

Employers may prefer to hire trainers who have a qualification in adult teaching or instructional design.

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a trainer. However, English, social studies and digital technologies are useful.

Personal requirements

Trainers need to be:

  • skilled at communicating with adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures
  • friendly and confident
  • understanding, patient and tolerant
  • adaptable
  • well-organised.

Useful experience

Useful experience for trainers includes:

  • teaching
  • coaching
  • managing staff
  • public speaking.

Find out more about training

New Zealand Association for Training and Development (NZATD)
(04) 570 2460 - nzatd@nzatd.org.nz - www.nzatd.org.nz
Check out related courses

What are the chances of getting a job?

Online trainers in demand

Opportunities for online trainers are strong as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for online learning. Instructional designers with experience in designing online courses and activities for adult students are in particular demand.

Trainers are still in demand for some face-to-face training. This is because some companies want a trainer on-site to assess the training needs in their organisation, then make training plans and workshops. Literacy and numeracy training for staff is in particularly high demand.

According to the Census, 2,208 trainers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

More demand for trainers in bigger companies

More trainer job opportunities exist at bigger companies, as they have a greater need for employee training and development.

At smaller companies, the human resources adviser may do some trainer tasks.

Adult education qualification can increase your chances of getting a job

A New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Learning (Level 4 or 5) can increase your chances of getting a job. The qualification gives a good understanding of learning theories and covers learning and development.

Types of employers varied

Trainers may work for:

  • businesses and government organisations as in-house trainers – for example, working in information technology
  • training consultancies, which offer general or specialist training services on topics such as sales or management
  • universities and polytechnics
  • industry training organisations, doing work such as on-site agriculture training.

Sources

  • Bain, K, organisational development specialist, New Zealand Association of Training and Development, careers.govt.nz interview, February 2021.
  • New Zealand Association of Training and Development, 'Competency Framework', accessed March 2021, (www.nzatd.org.nz).
  • Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019. 

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)

Progression and specialisations

Trainers may progress to work in:

  • human resources
  • tutoring or teaching
  • project management.

Trainers may also progress to set up their own businesses.

A trainer holds a training session with four other people

Trainers design and run face-to-face training sessions

Last updated 13 April 2021