Mastering the art of training: Essential training skills and tools for trainers

The world of training and development is nothing but exciting. Training skills and tools are the trusty sidekicks on the adventure of knowledge sharing for all trainers. Imagine it being a thrilling blend of artistry and science, where trainers are both storytellers and tech-savvy wizards.

Are you a seasoned trainer looking to level up your game? Or a fresh-faced novice taking your first steps into L&D? Either way, it’s crucial that you’re equipped with the coolest tools and the most epic training skills.

Which are the essential training skills and the nifty tools that will empower trainers to create learning experiences that leave a trail of “aha” moments? Discover how to unleash the superhero within you, from mastering the art of communication to wielding the magic of instructional design.

These are the essential skills for trainers:

• Research skills
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Adaptability skills
• Tech proficiency
• Curiosity

Followed by the must-have tools for trainers in categories:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Content authoring tool
• Video editing software
• Social media
• AI-powered tools

Let’s dive in.

The 5 most essential training skills for trainers

Every trainer needs to have specific skills as well as training and development tools to be effective. First, let’s look at the following list that includes both soft skills and hard skills.

1. Research skills

One of the most important hard skills a trainer should master is research.

Research skills allow trainers to have a deeper understanding of learner needs, create evidence-based content, and develop effective training materials. Plus, trainers can keep their training programs up-to-date, adapt to unique situations, and assess the impact of their training.

Also, with research skills at hand, trainers gain valuable insights into best practices, innovate in their teaching methods, and boost their own professional development. Ultimately, these training skills empower trainers to offer relevant, credible, and engaging training experiences for learners. All while continually improving their expertise and effectiveness as educators.

2. Communication skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a trainer’s success. It’s not just about conveying information. It’s about facilitating understanding and engagement among learners.

• Clarity: Trainers should articulate their ideas and instructions in a straightforward manner. They need to ensure that learners easily grasp the content. To achieve this, trainers must avoid jargon and unnecessary complexity, and use simple language.
• Active listening: Listening actively to your learners is as important as speaking. Trainers should pay close attention to learners’ questions, comments, and non-verbal cues. This demonstrates respect for the learners’ input and helps in gauging understanding.
• Body language: Non-verbal communication, including gestures, facial expressions, and posture, may convey as much (if not more) information as words. Trainers need to be aware of their own body language and the signal it sends. Plus, they need to be perceptive to the body language of their learners. Interpreting body language when delivering courses online can be trickier. At best, trainers can only see learners’ faces in small windows. Trainers should encourage learners to keep their cameras on, pay attention to facial expressions, use virtual whiteboards and polls, ask for verbal feedback, and record sessions. Then, it’s easier for trainers to better interpret and respond to people’s body language. Even in the constraints of these small video windows.

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3. Organizational skills

Strong organizational skills always get you far. Both as a trainer and a person.

Soft skills like managing your time will help you stay on track.

In learning, training, and development, trainers need to complete various tasks before they deploy a training program. From collecting all the materials required to delivering training efficiently, mastering organization is vital.

Another critical skill for trainers, related to organizational skills, is problem-solving.

Problem-solving skills are necessary for trainers. They allow them to customize training, adapt to learner needs, and handle unexpected challenges effectively. Also, trainers can better engage learners, overcome resistance, and continuously improve training programs.

4. Adaptability skills

In the past few years, previously untapped levels of adaptability and resilience have been uncovered.

People have displayed their ability to rapidly adapt, taking on new roles and responsibilities in the middle of global upheaval. And still, today, sometimes life gets in the way. Delays, troubles, and unforeseen circumstances can simply happen.

Trainers should further enhance their adaptability skills in order to be always prepared for the unexpected. For example, have a plan B for almost everything, play around with training tools and see how some features can help them prepare.

To improve adaptability, you should consider:

• Envisioning various outcomes and establishing emergency plans for both the best and worst-case scenarios.
• Reframing change as a positive force. Keep in mind the philosophy that obstacles are there to learn to become more adaptable.
• Fostering the willingness to experiment and explore new ideas and technologies. Even if these fall outside your usual sphere of expertise.

5. Tech proficiency

Being technologically savvy as a trainer is essential in the modern world. Primarily due to the significant impact of technology on the field of L&D.

Trainers should possess technical knowledge to create, teach, and assess while using digital training tools and AI. It’s not necessary to be a computer whizz. Just understand how software works and how to leverage most of the features they offer.

Specifically, being tech-savvy can help you with the following:

• Enhanced engagement: Technology has transformed the learning landscape. It offers a wide variety of tools and platforms to make training more engaging. Trainers proficient in using technology can use multimedia, interactive content, and gamification features to capture and keep the attention of learners. AI-powered features (personalized recommendations, adaptive learning systems, etc.) can further boost engagement by tailoring content to learners’ needs.
• Efficiency and scalability: When trainers are tech-savvy, they can design and deliver training programs more efficiently. LMS and other eLearning tools help you reach a broader audience as a trainer, breaking down geographical barriers. Plus, AI helps automate administrative tasks, enabling you to focus more on the training content and the interaction with learners.
• Adaptation to trends: Proficiency in technology equips you with staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving environment. AI and other emerging technologies continue to impact education. So trainers need to be well-versed in these tools to be able to adapt to new trends and harness the latest innovations to further benefit their learners.

6. Curiosity

In a recent interview of TalentLMS with Brian Washburn, ID expert, he mentioned that one of the most important training skills for trainers is curiosity. Specifically, he mentioned that when somebody is open to learning new skills (teaching techniques, skills, and methodologies), chances are they become more effective as trainers. In contrast to high performers who might think that their way is the only way to learn.

So, staying on top of trends, developing your knowledge and soft skills set, and discovering ways to evolve as a trainer will help you:

Foster a continuous learning culture: Trainers who are curious set an example for their learners. They demonstrate the value of ongoing learning plus inspire and encourage others to adopt a similar approach.

Show empathy and understanding: Curiosity helps trainers ask questions and actively listen to their learners more frequently. This empathetic approach allows them to better understand the needs, challenges, and learning styles of training participants. As a result, it’s possible to tailor training programs to address specific needs and create more effective learning experiences.

Boost inspiration and motivation: Curious trainers are a source of inspiration. The passion for learning and exploring new concepts often ignites enthusiasm among learners. When learners see you excited about the subject matter, it translates into greater motivation for them to engage with the training material.

The 5 must-have training tools for trainers

Before we get into it, let’s explore the often-asked question: What are training tools?

Training tools are the programs, platforms, or templates that help trainers deliver their training to their learners. In reality, there are literally dozens (or maybe hundreds) of training and development tools out there.

Some of them are quite specific to training (i.e., LMS), while others are tools that can also support other professions as well (i.e., social media, like TikTok). So, in a nutshell, all those tools that help you do a better job as a trainer are training tools.

Here are the four main categories of training and development tools every trainer should have in their toolbox:

1. Learning Management Systems (LMS)

The best training tool for trainers who want to create courses, manage users, and track the performance of their online training and learners is an LMS (Learning Management System).

The right LMS can help trainers create more effective learning experiences as it can offer:

• Centralized content management: LMS platforms offer a centralized repository for all training materials (text, multimedia, assessments, etc.) This helps trainers organize and update training content without switching platforms.
• Scalability: Usually, an LMS can accommodate both small and large groups of learners. This is necessary for trainers teaching diverse audiences, from small businesses to large corporations.
• Flexibility and accessibility: An LMS allows learners to hop into learning anytime and anywhere. This enables self-paced learning and accommodating different schedules.
• Personalization: AI and data analytics to personalize learning experiences are used in most modern LMS platforms. Trainers can track individual progress and adapt training to suit each learner’s needs.
• Assessment and feedback: Trainers can use tools like quizzes, assessments, and surveys through the LMS to track progress and provide immediate feedback to reinforce learning.
• Administration: Most LMSs have administrative features. Meaning that trainers can easily manage and track learner progress. They can enroll or unenroll learners, send notifications, and monitor completion rates in one platform.
• Integration with other tools: An LMS can offer integration with other tools and systems. For example, HR software, video conferencing, and content authoring tools. The seamless integration streamlines administrative tasks and boosts the training experience.

2. Content authoring tool

To comprehend the value of eLearning authoring tools, you need to understand what they really are.

In essence, authoring tools are software platforms that let trainers handle a variety of media and multimedia files to create engaging training. If you want to build interactive courses, for example, an eLearning authoring tool is the best way to go.

Authoring tools help trainers seamlessly achieve:

• Content customization: These tools empower trainers to create custom training materials tailored to meet the specific needs of their learners. Trainers can design content that addresses the unique challenges and goals of their audience.
• Engagement and interactivity: Authoring tools come with features for creating interactive content. For example, quizzes, simulations, and multimedia elements. This helps boost engagement and promote active learning.
• Variety: Content format shouldn’t be created and delivered in one way. These tools allow trainers to develop a wide range of content material. For instance, eLearning modules, videos, infographics, and more.
• Fast updates: As information is constantly and rapidly changing, content material should follow suit. Authoring tools make it easy for trainers to update and revise training material to ensure the relevance of training.
• Ease of use: Most content authoring tools are user-friendly. Meaning they don’t require advanced technical skills. This way, trainers can focus on content creation rather than trying to figure out complex software.

Pro tip: Right now, there are many Learning Management Systems that come with built-in authoring tools so you don’t have to switch between platforms to deliver high-quality training. You simply create an account, access your training hub, and start building your course right away.

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3. Video editing software

One of the most overlooked training tools for trainers is video editing software. The reason why videos are powerful is that they offer a vivid and engaging learning experience.

Today, you can edit a complete training video even on your smartphone (and for free) so, it’s never been easier to make your courses more fun and captivating. Play around with various video types to rock your courses. The most common formats include:

• Talking head videos
• Screen-recordings
• Video presentations
• Documentary-like videos
• and many more.

So, all you have to do is understand as a trainer which one(s) best fit your needs and plan accordingly.

If you’re camera-shy, for example, screen recording apps can prove really handy when you want to record your screen and explain complicated topics clearly.

Learning how to use video tools will enhance your learners’ experience, and add an extra touch to your courses.

4. Social media

Yes, social media as a tool for trainers.

It might sound a bit odd but social media can be really powerful training and development tools.

In fact, there’s an overwhelming surge in popular social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. This, alone, means that this is where your learners like to hang out when they have some time to spare.

As a trainer, connecting with learners on their favorite platforms is an excellent way to personalize the learning experience.

Trainers can integrate a social media tool with an LMS to encourage learners to connect with others who might have taken the same course. Or they can create social media micro-communities to allow learners to share ideas with each other and engage in conversations about their training.

5. AI-powered tools

AI tools and technologies are an important asset for trainers. They are designed to boost the training experience, facilitate administrative tasks, and offer insights into learner progress.

Some useful AI tools you can use as a trainer are:

• Adaptive learning systems: Adaptive platforms use AI algorithms to make the learning experience more personalized for each learner. Such systems assess individual strengths and weaknesses. Then, they deliver customized content or recommendations. This personalization boosts engagement and improves learning outcomes.
• Learning analytics: AI-driven learning analytics tools offer trainers the data and insights they need to monitor learner performance. They track progress, identify weak learners, and intervene the soonest possible to improve learning outcomes.
• Chatbots and virtual assistants: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants offer immediate answers to common learner questions, plus provide 24/7 support. Thus, they allow trainers to manage administrative tasks more effectively. And ensure learners have quick access to information.
• Content curation: Curating relevant content for training programs is facilitated by AI tools. They analyze large amounts of data to provide articles, videos, or other resources that align with the training objectives.
• Speech recognition and language processing: AI-driven speech recognition and natural language processing tools help transcribe and analyze spoken content. This is particularly helpful for trainers, especially in language and communication-oriented training.

Unleash your inner training superhero and become a remarkable trainer

To be a good trainer, you need to build or improve these essential training skills. Plus, spend some time learning and mastering the training tools listed above.

Remember that not all good trainers are familiar with using training tools. This is why it’s essential to participate in training courses for trainers.

Do your research, interact with your learners, and never forget to be understanding and adaptable. Play around with some eLearning tools for trainers. And always remember that a good trainer never stops learning.