How to Write a Training Request Letter

A training request letter is a type of formal letter written to ask your employer to provide funds to pursue additional training in your career. For example, you may write a request letter for training to take an online course or obtain a certification that will help you learn new skills and expertise related to your position. Regular training can help support your career by providing you with opportunities to improve your abilities and increase your value as an employee.

Many organizations encourage and support additional professional development for their employees and will provide the necessary funds for approved training programs. It’s important to be prepared with all of the relevant information related to the training program so you can prepare a well-thought-out letter that best presents the opportunity in a positive light and portrays how it will support your current role.

Here are several steps to take when creating a training request letter:

1. Do your research. The first step in writing an effective letter requesting additional training is to research the skills you would benefit from learning or improving in relation to your current career or the career you want to eventually pursue. Look into the available training resources available for these skills, such as online trainings, conferences, courses, and certifications. Compile a list of the training options you think would be most beneficial to you to present to your employer.
2. Ask other professionals. If you’re unsure of available trainings in your profession, ask others who have more experience and skills than you how they got to where they are in their career. You could ask colleagues, your manager, a mentor, or even your employer to see if they have any recommendations on the most effective training options available.
3. Make a list of the benefits of further training. It’s important to clearly identify the benefits of the training to present to your employer. Benefits to list include gaining and development skills that will support your position or team, the ability to better contribute to the company overall, and to prepare you for a promotion or new position in the future. It’s important to include benefits that don’t only impact you, but also the organization as a whole.
4. Express your loyalty to your organization. Some employers may assume that once they pay for your training, you will pursue a career elsewhere with your newly gained skills. You should bring up this concern in the training request letter to assure your employer that you plan to stay with the company and use the skills you learn to benefit your current organization.
5. Include more than one option. While an expensive training program may certainly benefit both you and your employer, it’s not something all employers can accommodate. Many companies have a budget for employee training, so it’s important to present several different options in case your original training choice is too expensive for the company to cover. For example, not all companies can afford to pay for employees to pursue graduate programs but may be able to provide funds to get certified in a particular area.
6. Describe how the training will provide a return on investment for the company. Employers want to know what the outcome will be once you complete your training. Ensure that you clearly outline how the training will provide a return on investment for the employer’s time and money in your request letter for training. Also, let your employer or manager know that you will regularly check in throughout the training to update them on your progress and skills.

The following are tips to consider when writing a training request letter:

• Show your appreciation for your company in the letter.
• Follow a professional letter template or format.
• Portray your efforts thus far in your position.
• Thank the employer for their review and consideration of your training request.
• Include details about your success in your career to-date.

The following is a template you can use when writing a request for a training letter:

Dear [Manager or Employer First and Last Name],

[Introduction paragraph stating the training you wish to pursue and why.]

[A list of available options for training and the costs for each.]

[Body paragraph that describes which training you feel would be most beneficial and how this training will benefit your position, team, and/or company.]

[A closing sentence that emphasizes your appreciation for their time and consideration.]

[Sincerely,]

[Your first and last name]

Here is an example of a training request letter:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to inform you of my interest in pursuing additional training to support my current position. As a marketing professional, I’ve realized that there are certain areas in our marketing department that could benefit from the training I wish to pursue. I am requesting that the organization help cover the cost of the training to allow me to help fill this gap in the marketing department.

A few of the top marketing trainings I feel would most benefit not only be but the marketing department as a whole include:

• Digital Marketing Bootcamp by the University of Central Florida, $500
• MIT Marketing Analytics Course, $1,500
• Digital Marketing Specialist Program by Simplilearn, $750

I am committed to my current job with this company and do not anticipate changing careers once this training is complete. I also do not feel that this training would interfere with my day-to-day work life. Please let me know your thoughts and if you have any further questions.

I appreciate your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Tom Johnson