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3S231 Career Guide

Air Force

3S231: Education and Training Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Education and Training Specialist (3S231)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3S231 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Training and Development Specialist

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Instructional Designer

$82K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

E-learning software proficiency (e.g., Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate)Multimedia developmentAdult learning theory

Human Resources Specialist

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationHRIS software experienceLabor law knowledge

Technical Trainer

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific technical certifications related to the industry of interestAdvanced presentation skills

Management Analyst

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Data analysis software (e.g., Excel, Tableau)Project management certification (e.g., PMP)Business process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3S231 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As a trainer, you're essentially building models of how people learn and how training programs affect performance, predicting outcomes based on different instructional methods and resource allocations.

This translates directly into the ability to create predictive models in various industries, understanding how different factors interact within a complex system to achieve desired results.

Resource Optimization

You're constantly optimizing training programs for cost-effectiveness, balancing budget constraints with the need for effective instruction and adequate resources.

This is highly valuable in any role that involves managing budgets, allocating resources, and maximizing efficiency within an organization. You're adept at finding the best way to achieve goals with limited resources.

After-Action Analysis

Evaluating training programs, identifying deficiencies, and recommending corrective actions is a core part of your job, ensuring continuous improvement and optimal performance.

This skill is crucial for quality control, process improvement, and strategic planning in any industry. You're able to analyze past performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to achieve better outcomes.

Procedural Compliance

You ensure all training programs adhere to Air Force academic, vocational, and technical standards, and follow established instructional system development processes.

Your experience ensures you understand the importance of following established procedures and protocols, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining consistent quality.

Situational Awareness

By conducting work center visits and monitoring individual and unit training progress, you maintain awareness of the training environment, identifying needs and potential issues.

This translates to an ability to quickly assess the environment, understand the needs of stakeholders, and anticipate potential challenges, which is vital for leadership, project management, and consulting roles.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been orchestrating training programs, evaluating their effectiveness, and recommending improvements – skills directly transferable to helping businesses streamline operations and boost performance. Your experience with Instructional System Development (ISD) provides a structured approach to problem-solving, making you a valuable asset in process optimization and strategic planning.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been steeped in procedural compliance, ensuring training programs meet Air Force standards. Now, channel that expertise into ensuring companies adhere to regulations and internal policies. Your ability to develop and manage reporting procedures, maintain data, and provide statistical reports will be invaluable in this role.

Curriculum Specialist (Corporate)

SOC 25-9031

You've been creating and validating training programs to meet Air Force academic, vocational, and technical standards - you can definitely adapt that skill to designing impactful learning and development experiences for employees in a corporate environment. Your expertise in instructional design will ensure these programs align with business goals and enhance employee performance.

Project Manager

SOC 11-9151

You've been managing E&T programs, coordinating events, and forecasting E&T requirements, you've honed essential project management skills. Your ability to organize and control facilities, supplies, and equipment to support E&T needs translates perfectly into managing projects, ensuring they're completed on time and within budget. Your background in training also provides you with a unique perspective to manage training and development aspects within broader organizational projects.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Education and Training Specialist Technical School, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

336 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Principles of Instruction and Curriculum Development.

Topics Covered

  • Instructional System Development (ISD)
  • Curriculum Development Principles
  • Training Program Management
  • Learning Theories and Application
  • Assessment and Evaluation Methods
  • Air Force Training Policies and Procedures
  • Job Performance Analysis

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)70% covered

The CPTM focuses on managing training departments and aligning training with business goals. Study topics such as budgeting, ROI, and vendor management.

Certified Training Professional (CTP)60% covered

The CTP focuses on advanced facilitation and evaluation techniques. Study areas include needs analysis, advanced presentation skills, and measuring training impact.

Association for Talent Development (ATD) Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)50% covered

The CPLP covers a wide range of talent development topics. Focus on the areas of coaching, knowledge management, and change management.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)Certified Training Professional (CTP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Air Force Training Management System (AFTMS)Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard
Courseware Development Tools (e.g., Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline)E-learning authoring tools like Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, iSpring Suite
Automated Training Needs Assessment ToolsSkills gap analysis software, such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey for needs assessment
Maintenance Qualification Training Program (MQT)Technical skills certification programs; vendor-specific training programs
Instructional Systems Development (ISD) Tools and MethodologiesADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model, project management software for training development
Air Force Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP)Job description and skills matrix, competency frameworks used in HR
Multimedia Training Aids Development SoftwareVideo editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro), graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)

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