Freelance trainers are self-employed individuals or independent contractors who provide instructional training to the employees of various different companies. In many instances, freelance trainers provide basic instruction on sales techniques, management processes and other types of skills that are used by people working in many different industries. On other occasions, trainers are tasked with teaching employees about systems and processes that are only used by a specific company.
Many freelance trainers have college degrees in human resources, business management or related topics. In other instances, they are individuals who have many years of experience working as supervisors or managers in specific industries. Some freelancers are individuals who formerly worked as in-house trainers for major corporations. Many work alone, although some work for independent companies that match the individual trainer's skills with the firm's business clients. Typically, trainers receive a fee for each class they teach.
Some freelance trainers provide classroom-based instruction to large numbers of individuals who are employed in certain roles at a particular company. Instruction may last for several days or weeks and the trainer is responsible for developing the itinerary and ensuring that all the relevant materials are covered within the sessions. Trainers use slideshows, DVD presentations and interactive question and answer sessions to supplement written materials that are normally printed in corporate training manuals. In some instances, they administer and score examinations at the end of the session to ensure that class attendees have gained a thorough understanding of the materials.
Those who provide basic instruction on sales techniques and other widely used skills are normally responsible for producing their own training materials. Many major companies have in-house training manuals in which case freelancers are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these manuals and using these booklets as the basis for classes. Typically, major firms negotiate long-term contracts with freelance trainers so they may become very familiar with the company’s in-house policies and procedures. Some companies have ongoing classes, but use freelancers rather than in-house trainers to keep operating costs low.
Many trainers specialise in teaching individuals how to use software and different types of telecommunications devices. These individuals often attend seminars that are administered by employees of information technology (IT) firms and then relay the information learned during these courses to the employees of different companies. Since workers of all levels use certain types of software, IT trainers have to work alongside both entry-level employees and company executives. Therefore, these individuals must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to people who have different skill sets and knowledge levels.