High School

If you are interested in a career in computer training, take as many computer and mathematics classes as possible in high school. These will provide the foundation for the rest of your computer education. Start learning some basic computer programs on your own. Visit Codeacademy (https://www.codecademy.com), edX (https://www.edx.org), Coursera (https://www.coursera.org), and Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org), where you can learn how to code for free. Speech, drama, or other performance courses will also help get you used to speaking in front of a crowd.

Postsecondary Training

While there is no universally accepted way to prepare for a job in computer training, a bachelors degree is generally required by most employers. The best major for this field is not set in stone; some majors that share skills with training include computer science, business, and education. Students should also take classes in public speaking to hone their communication skills. To teach some of the more complex systems, a graduate degree might be necessary. Obtaining graduate and postgraduate degrees enhances potential marketability, as well as future salaries.

Certification

The Association for Talent Development (ATD) offers several certificate programs that will help trainers develop their skills. Certificates are available in Training & Facilitation, Training Design and Delivery, Virtual Training & Facilitation, and other areas. In addition colleges and universities and online learning platforms offer certificate programs in computer science, education/training, and related fields.

Other Education or Training

Technological advances come so rapidly in the computer field that continuous study is necessary to keep your skills up to date. Continuing education is usually offered by employers, hardware and software vendors, colleges and universities, or private training institutions. Additional training can also come from professional associations such as the ATD. Learning opportunities include self-paced courses, live online workshops, and adaptive learning modules.

Certification or Licensing

As a trainer, you should be certified in the products (such as Microsoft C++, MFC, Visual Basic, and Access), developments (including Internet, HTML, and JavaScript), applications (MS Office, for example), environments (such as OS/2, Windows, client/server), and databases (including ADO, Access, ODBC, BD/2, and SQL) you want to instruct. Classes in each of the disciplines are available from the manufacturers, and you must pass an examination before receiving certification. Trainers who are employed by hardware and software developers might receive on-the-job instruction on the most current product releases. Certification is not mandatory (except for consultants), but will provide you with a competitive advantage. The Association for Talent Development offers the certified professional in talent development designation to applicants who have at least five years of training experience and pass a knowledge examination and a skills application examination. It also offers the associate professional in talent development credential for those with at least three years of experience. CompTIA offers more than 15 certification credentials. The International Society for Performance Improvement offers the following credentials: certified performance technologist, certified developer of training, and certified facilitator of training.

Aspiring computer trainers can gain useful experience by participating in internships in the training department of a large corporation or software vendor.

To be a successful computer trainer, you need to be an extrovert, and a good sense of humor is essential along with an energetic personality. As a trainer, you will have to be ready to teach any class in your repertoire at any time, so you have to be adaptable and flexible to handle that uncertainty. Other important traits include the ability to explain complicated concepts to people with limited technical knowledge, patience, organizational and leadership skills, and a willingness to continue to learn throughout your career.