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Bringing in an IT Training Consultant can help ensure the best educational opportunities for employees so that they will not only remain engaged in their training, but embrace and retain the content they are presented with. This requires a well-rounded and experienced individual who is familiar with current learning models and tools. But unless you are also experienced in this area, how do you know what skills to look for?

You’ll obviously want to start with the basics you’d use in any hiring process. Your consultant will need to be able to work collaboratively with others, manage a team, solicit and incorporate feedback, and perhaps manage a budget, to name a few. Beyond that, there are some skills that are specific to the role.

Look for an IT training consultant who has experience/familiarity with the following:

1. IT/IT Training – It might go without saying, but IT training needs aren’t necessarily the same as other organizational training needs. Look for someone who is an experienced IT professional or at least managed IT training delivery. They may not have the same IT skills your employees bring to the table, but they should understand the work that’s being done and how to best approach the learning model.
2. Learning Management Systems (LMS) – A learning management system can serve as the online hub for all of your training tools, content, and tracking. You’ll want to work with someone who has familiarity with a range of options to be able to choose the best solution for your organization.
3. Working in/Utilizing Collaborative Environments – Current learning methods often require using collaborative environments, especially if your team is disperse over a wide geographic area. A consultant should be comfortable working in these types of spaces, as well as supporting others who are utilizing them.
4. Platform Migrations – It’s likely, once a plan is in place, that your current systems will need to migrate to a new platform. Someone will need to be able to manage this migration, understand the potential pitfalls, and be able to quickly handle any challenges that arise.
5. Leveraging Cloud Technologies to Scale Globally – As an IT manager, you already understand the benefits of cloud technology. Ensure that your IT Learning Consultant does as well, and sees the potential for scaling your training programs nationally or globally.
6. Transformative Learning Strategies – Transformative learning is a process that challenges someone to think beyond – or even rethink entirely -what they already know. It’s particularly important for adult learners who may already think they know the “right way.” An IT Training Consultant with an understanding of transformative learning is well positioned to create content and systems that will facilitate this learning growth for your employees.
7. Building Hybrid (or Blended) Learning Strategies – The most effective learning approach will likely involve some combination of in-person courses, interactive online lessons, videos, community discussions, and more. Your consultant should be familiar with these types of educational models and able to put together an overall plan that incorporates a variety of methods and tools for high engagement and retention.
8. Content Planning & Production – Your IT Training Consultant may be part of the content production process, or may just serve as the facilitator/leader for other members of the team. Either way, he or she should have experience in the planning and production of rich media – to manage it, but also to ensure that the team assembled is the best one for the job.

Tackling large changes to your learning plan is often about future proofing your department and organization. An experienced IT Training Consultant will understand the challenges and opportunities that exist here and help you leverage your resources to the best outcomes.