Every once in a while, I get this bug where I go through the dialog to convert a NPC into a Jedi, but for some reason, we never actually get to the "training" dialog (where your character actually gives instruction/tutoring to the NPC).

 

Is there a workaround for this? Or do I just have to wait for the next game?

You never actualy train them. You just set them to a pre selected jedi/sith class for them. As long as you have enough influence with them, thats all you need to suceed in makeing them one. If not, then it's a cut convo...Atton and Bao-Dur are big with cut convos. Mandalore and HK-47 do not have a convo for jedi/sith.

I figured out what I did wrong. I didn't take her to the "special place" back on Nar Shadaa.

Oh, a specific NPC. Mira.

yeah I got hung up there 1st time through too. Kept waiting for a cutscene. Finally figured it out

usually infulence and a place which triggers it is needed, in attons case you need bit of infulence (its not 2 hard to get for him) and then the twileks at narshadaa trigger his history which eventually links to his training