An internal training academy learning journey is a 6 to 9 month program that builds an organisation’s own L&D faculty. It combines Train the Trainer certification, Master Trainer certification for senior trainers, instructional and learning experience design, training evaluation, AI for trainers, supervised delivery, coaching and an academy launch with measured results.
- Duration: 6 months (Foundation) to 9 months (Full academy)
- For: L&D teams, internal trainers, senior facilitators and training managers
- Formats: Certifications · Design labs · Supervised delivery · Coaching
- Designed with the ADDIE model and customised after a needs analysis
Also known as: build an internal training academy, corporate academy setup, L&D capability building program, internal faculty development
Last reviewed · Bodhih Training, Bengaluru
Why a journey, not a one-off workshop
An academy is a system, not an event. Building trainers, designers and evaluators in sequence, with real pilots, creates capability that lasts after the journey ends.
Employers expect nearly 40% of the skills required on the job to change by 2030, and 59 in every 100 workers to need reskilling or upskilling.
A review of 317 experiments found that spacing learning over time gives better long-term retention than massing it into one session.
Competencies this journey builds
Facilitation mastery
Engaging, adaptable delivery in person and online.
Training other trainers
Coaching, observing and certifying new internal trainers.
Instructional and learning experience design
Designing blended programs, microlearning and practice activities.
Training needs analysis
Finding the real performance gap before designing anything.
Evaluation and ROI
Measuring reaction, learning, behaviour and results, and reporting value.
AI in learning design and delivery
Using AI tools responsibly to design, personalise and support learning.
The journey map, phase by phase
A sample design over 6–9 months. Timings and components are adjusted to your calendar and goals.
- DiagnoseWeeks 1–3
01. Academy blueprint and baseline
- Training needs and capability audit of the L&D team
- AssessAll training evaluation and lesson design assessments
- Academy goals and roles agreed with leadership
Output: Academy blueprint and role map
- LearnMonth 1
02. Train the Trainer certification
- Bodhih’s 4-day Train the Trainer certification for all internal trainers
- Pre-course e-learning and 40 days of micro e-learning
Output: Certified internal trainers
- LearnMonths 2–3
03. Design labs
- Instructional design lab
- Learning experience and microlearning design lab
- Gamification and activity design
Output: One flagship program redesigned
- LearnMonths 3–4
04. Master Trainer certification for senior trainers
- Five live online master sessions
- Three-day in-person immersion with assessment
- Certified to train other trainers (on meeting the standard)
Output: Master trainers who can certify others
- ApplyMonths 3–7
05. Pilot academy programs
- Two or three academy programs delivered by the internal faculty
- Observed deliveries with feedback
- Learner and manager feedback collected
Output: Pilots delivered and reviewed
- CoachMonths 3–8
06. Coaching and supervision
- Monthly coaching for the academy lead
- Group supervision for trainers and designers
- Master trainers observe and coach new trainers
Output: Quality standard in place
- LearnMonth 5
07. Evaluation and AI labs
- Training evaluation and ROI workshop
- AI for trainers lab
- Dashboards for academy reporting
Output: Evaluation plan and dashboard
- MeasureMonth 6 or 9
08. Academy launch and review
- Academy launch with leadership
- AssessAll post-assessments for the faculty
- First academy impact report
Output: Running academy with measured results
Versions of this journey
Foundation: 6 months
TTT certification for all, two design labs, pilots, evaluation lab and launch.
Full academy: 9 months
Adds Master Trainer certification, AI for trainers, extended supervision and a second round of pilots.
Sales academy edition
An academy focused on sales enablement: product trainers, sales coaches and certification of reps.
Technical academy edition
For GCCs and engineering organisations: technical trainers, labs and skills certification.
Who this journey is for
- L&D teams setting up or relaunching an internal academy
- Internal trainers who will become master trainers
- Instructional designers and content developers
- Training managers responsible for results
- Organisations reducing dependence on external vendors
How impact is measured
Measured with AssessAll trainer and design assessments before and after, observed delivery quality, learner and manager feedback, and academy measures such as programs delivered, learners reached, cost per learner and business results of flagship programs.
Measures we can track
- Programs delivered by the internal faculty
- Learners reached and cost per learner
- Delivery quality scores from observations
- Business results of flagship programs
- Change in AssessAll trainer assessment scores
Assessments used before and after (on AssessAll)
Who does what
Take assessments, attend sessions, complete assignments and share evidence of change.
Sponsor the journey, agree goals, hold check-ins and recognise progress.
Own the business goal, selection, communication and internal reporting.
Diagnoses, designs, delivers, coaches, measures and reports, as one accountable partner.
What your organisation gains
- An internal faculty that scales learning at lower cost
- Faster rollout of new skills across the organisation
- Consistent quality and measurement across programs
- Knowledge retained inside the organisation
- Clear evidence of learning impact for leadership
Frequently asked questions
What is an internal training academy?
An in-house L&D function with its own trainers, designers and master trainers who design, deliver and measure learning for the organisation.
How long does it take to build a training academy?
A foundation academy can be running in about 6 months. A full academy with master trainers and evaluation usually takes around 9 months.
What certifications are included?
Bodhih’s Train the Trainer certification for internal trainers and, in the full version, the Master Trainer Certification for senior trainers who will train others.
How is an academy’s impact measured?
Through faculty assessments, observed delivery quality, learner and manager feedback, cost per learner and business results of flagship programs.
Can the academy focus on sales or technical skills?
Yes. Sales and technical academy editions focus on those audiences and their certification needs.
Is this program fixed?
No. It is one of two sample trainer journeys. Bodhih designs each academy for your size, goals and budget.