What are the primary roles and competencies performed by HRD specialists?
The American Society for Training and Development recently completed an exhaustive study of the role and competencies for learning and performance in organizations. The findings from this study will be used as the foundation for a professional certification examination and review process (www.astd.org/astd/Research/competency_study/competency_study.htm) Typical job titles include Instructional Designer, Trainer or Instructor, Performance Consultant, Program Evaluation Specialist, and Manager of Training. Job titles more consistent with a focus on learning an performance are beginning to appear, such as Learning or Performance Coach, Director of Learning and Performance, and Chief Learning Officer. Larger organizations tend to specialize roles, whereas smaller businesses have generalists. The graduate degree program in Human Resource Development at Florida State University has adopted the 2003 Training Manager Competencies developed by the International Board of Standards for Performanc
