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What Are the Different Types of Trainer Qualifications?

Kristie Lorette
Kristie Lorette

The different types of trainer qualifications include both professional and personal qualifications. Some of the professional trainer qualifications include education and experience; personal characteristics include the ability to capture the attention and teach others in a company what they need to know to perform their jobs the most efficiently and effectively.

The majority of employers that hire trainers require a college degree. While there is not a specific degree that prepares someone to be an employee trainer, a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is typically required. Many companies prefer that the other trainer qualifications include some courses and certifications that help trainers acquire and refine the skills they need to meet and exceed the trainer qualifications.

A good personal trainer should be able to hold the attention of the people that they are training.
A good personal trainer should be able to hold the attention of the people that they are training.

Experience is one of the other primary trainer qualifications. Usually, this experience is working as a trainer for another company or working as an external trainer for a variety of companies. Some companies will include experience for teachers and professors that have taught in the classroom setting. The obvious difference is the age group and duties that the trainer is teaching the students versus the employees of a company.

Personal trainers may be more likely to be hired if they have a college degree.
Personal trainers may be more likely to be hired if they have a college degree.

There are also several personal qualifications that one should possess. Great trainers tend to be people who can capture and hold the attention of the employees or group of people that they are training. This usually includes a great personality and charisma. One of the major second personal trainer qualifications is the ability to back up a great personality with the knowledge that the employees need to be trained on.

A personal trainer may specialize in assisting elderly clients.
A personal trainer may specialize in assisting elderly clients.

Typically, trainer qualifications include the ability to be innovative. Anyone can stand in front of a group of employees and lecture at them out of a guide or handbook. Truly successful trainers tend to be able to deliver the information they need to train employees in an innovative manner. In short, this means that trainer qualifications must include someone with creativity and that can think on their feet. They need to be able to identify that if their training delivery style is not working, then the trainer needs to be able to quickly change gears and deliver the information in a more effective manner.

A personal trainer may have a background in a specific sport, such as boxing.
A personal trainer may have a background in a specific sport, such as boxing.

While it is not a requirement for trainer qualifications, certifications help to set one trainer apart from another. Several human resources organizations and trainer organizations have opportunities for trainers to advance their training skills and earn special certifications.

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    • A good personal trainer should be able to hold the attention of the people that they are training.
      By: william87
      A good personal trainer should be able to hold the attention of the people that they are training.
    • Personal trainers may be more likely to be hired if they have a college degree.
      By: edbockstock
      Personal trainers may be more likely to be hired if they have a college degree.
    • A personal trainer may specialize in assisting elderly clients.
      By: Ammentorp
      A personal trainer may specialize in assisting elderly clients.
    • A personal trainer may have a background in a specific sport, such as boxing.
      By: Mat Hayward
      A personal trainer may have a background in a specific sport, such as boxing.
    • Experience is considered a primary trainer qualification.
      By: HconQ
      Experience is considered a primary trainer qualification.