Role

Learning and Development Specialist

Creates training programs that help employees build skills at work.

12 chaptersAbout 4–5 months15–30 min a day10 skills2 projects
Start this path free →

Chapter 1 is free. No card needed.

Day 1 on the Learning and Development Specialist path.

What a Learning and Development Specialist does

Designs and runs workplace training that helps employees learn skills faster and perform better on the job.

  • Assess skill gaps using surveys, interviews, and performance data
  • Design training plans, lesson outlines, and learning activities
  • Create learning materials like slides, guides, and job aids
  • Deliver workshops, onboarding sessions, and virtual training
  • Coordinate schedules, trainers, rooms, and learning platforms
  • Evaluate training results and improve content based on feedback
  • Support managers with coaching tools and development plans

A day in the life

  1. Meet with teams to confirm training needs and success measures
  2. Build or update a course, then test it with a small pilot group
  3. Run a live session and handle questions and activities
  4. Review feedback and completion data, then adjust the next session

Tools you will use

Presentation tools: PowerPoint, Google SlidesSpreadsheets: Excel, Google SheetsLearning platforms: LMS, SCORM contentSurvey tools: Google Forms, SurveyMonkeyVirtual training: Zoom, Microsoft TeamsContent creation: Canva, Camtasia

Your plan

Chapter by chapter.

1~2 wks

See the work of a Learning and Development Specialist

StartFree
2~2 wks

Learning design and assessment

Skills
3~2 wks

One-page teaching philosophy with a sample lesson plan

Proof
4~2 wks

Digital tools and platforms

Skills
51–2 wks

Meet people doing the work

People
6~2 wks

Inclusion and learner experience

Skills
7~2 wks

Stakeholder and partner engagement

Skills
8~2 wks

Professional agility

Skills
9~2 wks

Ten-minute microlearning module with quiz and feedback

Proof
101–2 wks

Prepare for Learning and Development Specialist interviews

Interview
111–2 wks

Choose your route into Learning and Development Specialist work

Decide
12on your timeline

Apply for Learning and Development Specialist roles

Apply

By the last chapter

This is what you can show.

Things you've made

One-page teaching philosophy with a sample lesson plan and Ten-minute microlearning module with quiz and feedback

Skills you can prove

10 skills, each rated on work you actually did.

People you've talked to

3 people who do the job, with a message ready for each.

Questions you can answer

20 interview questions and a mock interview, with feedback.

Credentials

5 credentials compared, so you can pick one, or decide you don't need one. None is required.

Ways in

There is more than one route.

Ways to study

  • Bachelor degree in education, psychology, HR, or communications
  • Diploma or certificate in training, adult learning, or HR development
  • Instructional design or facilitation short courses and workshops

How people get their first job

  • Help deliver onboarding as an HR assistant or people operations coordinator
  • Intern in HR, training, or internal communications and support sessions
  • Build a small training portfolio with slides, job aids, and a lesson plan
  • Earn a basic facilitation or train-the-trainer certificate
  • Volunteer to train peers in a club, nonprofit, or part-time job

Life skills on this path: Networking · Job interviews · Job search

How the work is changing

What AI is doing to this role

How AI is changing this role · one of 6 tasks we track

Assess training needs across the organisation

Sped up a lot

What AI does

AI reads skills-gap surveys and LMS records in minutes.

Still yours

You decide which gaps actually matter to the business.

Reviewed September 2026

In the app · Premium

The rest is in the app

  • How AI affects the other 5 tasks
  • Whether this job is growing or shrinking
  • How hard the first job is to get
  • Similar roles that are easier to get into
  • Updated every month, with sources
See it in the app →

How we rate a job →

Already working

Already a Learning and Development Specialist?

Plan your move to L&D Specialist: 8 chapters that end with a strong case for your next review.

Grow in the role →

Other roles in Education & Learning

Academic AdvisorAI Literacy and Edtech Integration LeadEarly Childhood EducatorInstructional DesignerLearning Experience DesignerLibrarianSchool CounselorSpecial Education TeacherSports CoachTeacherTutor

Questions

Questions about this path

How long does it take to become a learning and development specialist with Welica?

The path is 12 chapters, 4–5 months at 15 to 30 minutes a day. You can go faster or slower; the plan moves with you.

Do I need a degree?

Not always. Common routes are bachelor degree in education, psychology, HR, or communications, diploma or certificate in training, adult learning, or HR development, or instructional design or facilitation short courses and workshops.

What is free?

Chapter 1, See the work of a Learning and Development Specialist, is free for good. Premium unlocks the rest of the path.

Start the Learning and Development Specialist path.

Chapter 1 free. About 15 to 30 minutes a day.

Start this path free →

Already have an account? Sign in

Also on iPhone and Android