Computer Trainer/Instructor

Also known as:

Trainer, Computer
IT Trainer

Introduction

Computer trainers run courses on computer systems and computer skills. They research and plan training sessions. This may involve assessing training needs. Computer trainers prepare materials such as course outlines, overheads, notes for students and practice exercises.

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Work Activities

Computer trainers teach people to use computers in businesses, schools, colleges, universities and on employment training programmes.

They may be working with people who have no previous experience of computers, giving them a basic understanding of the technology, or they may be showing professional computer staff how to use a new computer system or software product.

Trainers support people's learning, encouraging those who may be quite frightened of computers and enabling them to become more confident.

Trainers cover a wide range of computer related subjects, depending on who they teach.

For example, they might train people in basic word processing skills. They might show journalists or publishers how to use desktop publishing (DTP) software, so that they can lay out information attractively and produce it in different forms, such as magazine pages.

Trainers also help people learn how to use the spreadsheets and databases used for storing information such as financial records and customers' addresses. Some trainers teach more advanced computer users to design programs and use different computer languages.

Computer trainers must plan their training carefully. They may talk to company managers or teachers to find out the sort of training people need. They then prepare teaching materials and exercises to use in the session, as well as course notes that people can take away.

Trainers sometimes use self-teaching packages. These are computer programs that guide the trainee through a system, explaining each step along the way. Trainers monitor how the course members are progressing and give them any help they need.

The length of training courses varies depending on the trainees' needs. Some are short, for example, those that cover word processing or database systems may last only one or two days, while others last for several months.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a computer trainer, you need a thorough knowledge of the systems or equipment that you will train people in.

You must have an interesting teaching style, to hold the trainees' attention, and an outgoing personality. You'll need good communication skills to explain things clearly to people who may have little knowledge of computers.

You should have the confidence to train groups of trainees, as well as the patience to give one-to-one help when someone needs it. You must work closely with people to assess their needs. Good written skills will help you to produce course notes and outlines.

You must be tactful and sensitive, to encourage people who are confused or even scared by new technology.

Good organisational skills will help you to plan training sessions and prepare course materials.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Salaries for computer trainers are in the range of £15,000 - £19,000 a year, rising to £23,500 - £28,500. Higher earners can make around £34,000 a year.

Trainers normally work office hours, Monday to Friday, but might also have to do some preparation in the evenings or at weekends. You may sometimes need to start early or finish late, depending on travel to the clients' premises.

There are opportunities for job-sharing, part-time, and temporary work.

There are employers throughout the UK, including computer manufacturers or dealers, consultancies or large companies with many computer-users. Many trainers work for training organisations and in the further education sector. There are opportunities to work on a freelance basis.

IT training is increasingly done by self-employed consultants or on fixed term contracts.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Most entrants into IT training have had experience of other areas of work in the computing industry. This could be in a technical area, such as programming, or a non-technical area, such as sales.

Such people often have a degree, HND or HNC in computing or IT.

Gaining general qualifications and experience as a trainer is another entry route into some types of IT training. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) offers accredited courses in training on a flexible and part-time basis. These are also available in local colleges.

If you want to take a degree or HND but don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Abacus Learning Systems offer an Online Trainer Course by distance learning, with some attendance.

• 14% of people in occupations such as computer trainer are self-employed.
• 21% work part-time.
• 10% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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