Training and development managers plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees. They oversee a staff of training and development specialists.

Executives increasingly realize that developing the skills of their organization’s workforce is essential to staying competitive in business.  Businesses also know that providing opportunities for development and career advancement helps organizations recruit and retain high-quality employees to grow the business. In the wind industry, some companies develop training programs specific to their products and processes. For instance, when a wind technician is hired, they will go through company training to learn specific methods for inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and operating wind turbines.

Training and development managers oversee training programs, staff, and budgets. They typically supervise a staff of training and development specialists. They teach training methods to specialists who, in turn, instruct the organization’s employees, both new and experienced. Managers direct the daily activities of specialists and evaluate their effectiveness. Although most managers primarily oversee specialists and develop training programs, some may also direct training courses.

Because managers are responsible for organizing training programs, including creating or selecting course content and materials, they stay current on wind technology and wind industry trends. To enhance employees’ skills and an organization’s overall quality of work, training and development managers often confer with managers of each department to identify its training needs. They may work with top executives and financial officers to identify and match training priorities with overall business goals. They also prepare training budgets and ensure that expenses stay within budget.

Most training takes place in a classroom, computer laboratory, or training facility. But some training is in the form of a video, Web-based program, or self-guided instructional manual. Regardless of how it is conducted, managers ensure training content, software, systems, and equipment are appropriate and meaningful.
Training and development managers typically do the following:

• Assess employees' needs for training
• Align training and development with the organization's strategic goals
• Create a training budget and keep operations within budget
• Develop or update training programs to ensure that they are current and make the best use of available resources
• Oversee the creation of training manuals, online learning modules, and other educational materials for employees
• Incorporate and manage third party trainings into company
• Review training materials from a variety of vendors and select materials with appropriate content
• Teach training methods and skills to instructors and supervisors
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and instructors.

• Critical-thinking skills. Training and development managers use critical-thinking skills when assessing classes, materials, and programs. They must identify the training needs of an organization, stay current in wind technology and the wind industry trends, and recognize where changes and improvements can be made. 
• Decision-making skills. Training and development managers must decide the best training programs to meet the needs of the organization. For example, they must review available training methods and materials and choose those that best fit each program.
• Interpersonal skills. Training and development managers need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires collaborating with staff, trainees, subject matter experts, and the organization’s leaders. They also accomplish much of their work through teams.
• Managerial skills. Managerial skills are important for these managers, who are often in charge of a staff, budget and are responsible for many programs. Training and development managers must be able to organize, motivate, and instruct those working under them.
• Speaking skills. Speaking skills are essential for training and development managers, who often give presentations. They must be able to communicate information clearly and facilitate learning by diverse audiences. They also must be able to effectively convey instructions to their staff.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Training and Development Manager