Purpose: Training cannot be effective if trainers are not pedagogically competent. However, the influence of trainers' pedagogical competencies on employees' knowledge and skill acquisition during training is not given the needed attention in the training literature. This study aims to examine the influence of trainers' pedagogical competencies such as delivery, trainees' involvement, use of visual aids and body language on trainees' assimilation of training content. Design/methodology/approach: The data are analyzed from 425 respondents in an online survey. This study uses structural equation modeling in testing the hypotheses following validity and reliability tests. Findings: This study finds that trainers' pedagogical competencies such as trainee involvement and body language have a significant influence on trainees' assimilation of training content, but others such as the trainers' delivery and use of visual aids do not have a significant influence on assimilation of training content. Practical implications: Professionals responsible for training should endeavor to use trainers who have been proven to be pedagogically competent, especially involving trainees during training and use of body language and not just experts in the topics/areas they provide training. Trainers themselves should on their part do well to acquire pedagogical skills in addition to the content knowledge they possess to enhance their training effectiveness particularly, trainees' assimilation of training content. Originality/value: As a phenomenon rarely given attention, this study urges learning and development researchers and practitioners as well as human resource management professionals to give attention to the pedagogical competencies of trainers during training and trainees' learning.