Guide to Training Program Development
Create your own in-house training program
The Office of Professional Development (OPD) has created a comprehensive Training Guide to assist departments and agencies statewide with the planning, delivery, and assessment of their own unique training programs.
Our regularly updated guide incorporates strategies, lessons learned, and advice aimed at assisting those tasked with developing a training program from the ground up. The guide also includes templates and samples illustrating our best practices that you can leverage by other departments, if desired.
Training development guide
Explore our comprehensive training development guide, “Pave Your Path,” to learn how to design and implement effective training programs.
Guide highlights
- New for 2025: Version 2 of Pave Your Path: A Framework to Navigate the Road to Training Success addresses best practices, recommendations, and advice for ensuring departments meet the needs of students who require a reasonable accommodation. Through examples, sample messaging, and lessons learned based on actual experience with this scenario, departments will be better positioned to ensure impacted students are provided with equal access to content and information.
- Getting Started: Kick off your training program with solid preparation. Learn the importance of documenting your process, staying flexible, and securing strong sponsorship. Explore needs assessment ideas and organizational tools to streamline your planning.
- Developing Your Program: Create a robust framework for your training program. Define your goals, choose the right delivery model, and identify your target audience. This section guides you through budgeting, course selection, and resource allocation to build a comprehensive training plan.
- Designing Effective Courses: Design engaging and impactful courses with our expert tips. Understand the benefits of combining vendor and SME-led sessions, and get advice on scheduling and course flow to maximize learning outcomes.
- Implementing Your Program: Execute your training program with confidence. From creating a detailed calendar to preparing course materials, this section provides step-by-step guidance to ensure a smooth program launch. Learn how to conduct administrative reviews and technical checks to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Launching and Concluding Your Program: Manage your program effectively with our weekly and daily task checklists. Gather valuable feedback through final surveys and compile data to continuously improve your training efforts. Celebrate your success with a well-executed program wrap-up.