5 Responses

1. Career Progression
   John,

   Didn’t your CTP cover professional progression routes, affiliation with professional associations, or continuing professional development planning?

   If not, I’d say you were either poorly served by your development provider, or they left it to you to apply what was learned on CTP to your own practice.

   If it were me, I’d consider:

   * Professional memberships

   * Comptence-based routes which might include selected units, vocationally related certificates or full qualifications, linked with your specialist areas of expertise, career development plan and current and anticipated client needs in your field. Your manager or someone else who has an interest in your development may be able to help you with this.

   *Educational routes which might include development of next-level business acumen, leadership and management skills, or personal development to compliment your CTP credential.

   *Self-managed development activities.

   Whether self-managed or in pursuit of recognised qualifications, a competence-based approach offers evidence of planned CPD and demonstrates your professional commitment. Intelligently planned and managed, this can enhance your value to – and credibility with – current and prospective employers, clients and delegates.

   Planning tools available here at the TrainingZone Library, or at Trainerbase:

   http://www.trainerbase.co.uk/

   Can help guide your choices here. Some of these are free.

   In fact, if you download the free ‘Trainer Self Assessment’ tool from TrainerBase within the next five days, I’ll send you a complimentary template for ‘Evaluating Own Practice.’

   Regards,

   Scott G. Welch

2. Post CTP take up
   I agree with Scott on the feedback issue, you could enroll for the City & Guilds FAETC -Adult teaching Certificate stage 1 & 2 – all colleges run them – this will open up facilitating teaching in a college

3. Progression
   I’m not at all sure I agree with the advice of the previous contributors.

   The C&G7407 is a great course. I tutor on it – but it’s worth noting that in order to enrol on it, one has to be ‘teaching’ on a recognised programme, and able to produce a Scheme of Work for a 40 hour ‘course’. This does make it more difficult for trainers who do ad-hoc sessions.

   I’d be more inclined to suggest that you diversify, John – why not do some sessional teaching at a local college? They’re crying out for people in industry. This, I think, is the best possible ‘development’ – and it can lead to all sorts of different work coming your way. It certainly worked for me.

   Lots of luck
   Joanna

4. Teaching Ain’t Training
   “I’m not at all sure I agree with the advice of the previous contributors.”

   Joanna,

   What’s not to like? 😉

   “The C&G7407 is a great course. I tutor on it – but it’s worth noting that in order to enrol on it, one has to be ‘teaching’ on a recognised programme, and able to produce a Scheme of Work for a 40 hour ‘course’. This does make it more difficult for trainers who do ad-hoc sessions.”

   In principle, the evidence requirements for the vocational learning and development routes I suggested(VRC/NVQ) aren’t as prescriptive as that, and may be developed by a practising trainer. I am not suggesting this is *the* way to go – merely *one* way to go.

   “Why not do some sessional teaching at a local college? They’re crying out for people in industry. This, I think, is the best possible ‘development’ – and it can lead to all sorts of different work coming your way.”

   Working in any learning and development environment will certainly develop additional skills and experience. F&HE colleges offer one setting in which to develop this experience – assuming they accept John’s CTP as a valid credential.

   While there may be some leeway for those with skills colleges “are crying out for,” all of the F&HE colleges I’m affiliated with “over here” specify academic qualifications (or, in some cases, equivalent vocational qualifications) for associate lecturers.

   My own view is that the CTP or similar entry-level qualification gives the practitioner a licence to practice – and to learn. It’s the beginning, not the end, of a trainer’s development.

   To me, ongoing development isn’t an “either-or” proposition. There is “no one best way.” There is merely a range of alternatives from which to choose, based on one’s own circumstances and career interests.

   Defining our priorities through a relevant professional development plan will light the path – and enhance our professional credibility with those we seek to serve.

   If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.

   Regards,

   Scott G. Welch

5. Effective training courses
   It seems to me you need to know where you want to go in order to work out an effective strategy to reach your destination. While it is all very well taking courses, it is worth investing time to consider what you want to do and achieve; it will save time and reduce the regrets, if only’s and all the rest of that sort of baggage. At the end of the day you only have one life and you can only live it once. I would be happy to spend a bit of time talking this through with you if it would help you to attain greater clarity.
   Best of luck on whatever you decide.
   Wendy