Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Training Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about unlocking human potential through data-driven insights? As our Training Analyst, you will be the analytical backbone of our Learning & Development (L&D) function. You won't just track attendance; you will be the architect of our learning ecosystem's effectiveness, using data to tell the story of our impact. This role is perfect for a curious and analytical professional who excels at connecting learning initiatives directly to business outcomes. You will investigate performance gaps, measure the success of our training programs, and provide the critical recommendations that shape our future learning strategies, ensuring every training dollar is a smart investment in our people and our success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Training Coordinator or Specialist
HR Generalist or Coordinator
Instructional Design Assistant
Data Analyst (with interest in HR)

Advancement To:

Senior Training Analyst / L&D Analyst
Learning & Development Manager
Instructional Design Manager
People Analytics Manager

Lateral Moves:

HR Business Partner (HRBP)
People Analytics Specialist
Project Manager, L&D
Organizational Development Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive training needs analyses (TNA) through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and performance data to identify knowledge, skill, and behavior gaps across the organization.
Analyze and interpret complex data sets related to learner engagement, course completion, assessment scores, and post-training performance to measure program effectiveness.
Design, build, and maintain insightful dashboards and reports to visualize key training metrics (KPIs) for stakeholders and senior leadership.
Apply established evaluation models, such as the Kirkpatrick or Phillips ROI Model, to assess the business impact and return on investment of key learning initiatives.
Collaborate with business leaders and HR Business Partners to understand departmental goals and align training curricula with strategic business objectives.
Manage the full lifecycle of training analytics projects, from requirements gathering and data collection to analysis, reporting, and presenting actionable recommendations.
Administer and serve as a subject matter expert for our Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring data integrity, system optimization, and effective reporting.
Develop and implement robust assessment strategies, including quizzes, practical applications, and simulations, to accurately measure learning and skill acquisition.
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Translate analytical findings into compelling narratives and presentations that influence decision-making and drive continuous improvement in our training portfolio.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different delivery modalities (e.g., eLearning, instructor-led, virtual, blended) and provide data-backed recommendations for optimization.
Partner with Instructional Designers to provide feedback and insights that inform the development of new, high-impact learning content.
Monitor and forecast training demand, capacity, and budget allocation, providing data to support strategic workforce planning.
Research and stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and new methodologies in learning analytics and corporate training.
Manage the creation and maintenance of a centralized training data repository, ensuring data is accurate, consistent, and easily accessible for analysis.
Facilitate "train-the-trainer" sessions, equipping facilitators with the tools and knowledge to effectively collect and utilize feedback data.
Develop user-friendly job aids, guides, and documentation for the LMS and other learning technologies to improve user adoption and experience.
Support the mapping of competencies to job roles and identify corresponding learning paths and development opportunities for employees.
Perform regular audits of our training catalog and learning records to ensure accuracy, compliance, and relevance of content.
Partner with IT and other data teams to integrate learning data with other business systems (e.g., HRIS, CRM) for a holistic view of employee performance.
Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making within the Learning & Development team and its key stakeholders.
Provide analytical support for broader talent management initiatives, such as performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from L&D and business leaders.
Contribute to the organization's broader data governance strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for our data warehouse.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader People Analytics or HR team.
Manage relationships and contracts with external training vendors and content providers, evaluating their performance and effectiveness.
Assist in the development, forecasting, and tracking of the annual Learning & Development budget.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Learning Management System (LMS) Administration: Advanced proficiency in managing systems like Workday Learning, Cornerstone OnDemand, Docebo, or similar.
Data Analysis & Visualization: Expertise in Excel (PivotTables, complex formulas) and data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI.
Instructional Design Tools: Familiarity with eLearning authoring software such as Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise) or Adobe Captivate.
SQL: Ability to write queries to extract and manipulate data from relational databases.
Survey & Assessment Tools: Competency in creating and analyzing data from tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or Google Forms.
Project Management Software: Experience using platforms like Asana, Jira, Trello, or Monday.com to manage project timelines and deliverables.
HRIS Knowledge: Familiarity with Human Resource Information Systems (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors) and how they integrate with learning systems.
Statistical Analysis: Basic understanding of statistical concepts and their application in analyzing training effectiveness.
Training Evaluation Models: Deep knowledge of frameworks like the Kirkpatrick Model and Phillips ROI Methodology.
Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace: Advanced proficiency, particularly in PowerPoint/Slides for creating compelling presentations.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Analytical & Critical Thinking: The ability to dissect problems, see trends in data, and make logical, data-backed conclusions.
Powerful Communication: Skill in translating complex data into clear, concise, and compelling stories for non-technical audiences, both written and verbally.
Stakeholder Management & Influence: Proven ability to build relationships, manage expectations, and influence senior leaders and peers without direct authority.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: A commitment to data accuracy and quality, ensuring that reports and analyses are flawless.
Project Management & Organization: The capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
Innate Curiosity & Problem-Solving: A natural desire to ask "why" and dig deeper to uncover the root cause of performance issues.
Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can pivot quickly in response to changing business needs.
Presentation & Facilitation: Confidence and skill in presenting findings to groups of all sizes and levels.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
Certifications in Data Analytics, Instructional Design, or Project Management (e.g., CPTD, PMP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Human Resources or Organizational Development
Instructional Design or Adult Learning
Business Administration or Management
Data Analytics or Statistics
Psychology or a related Social Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of direct experience in a learning & development, training, HR analytics, or related data analysis role.

Preferred: Demonstrable experience in a corporate setting, with a proven track record of using data to measure training effectiveness and drive programmatic improvements. Hands-on experience with the full training lifecycle, from needs analysis and content development support to measurement and reporting on business impact.