8 Responses

1. Trainer Certification
   I may be wrong but I don’t think there is such a ‘Trainer Certification Standard’.

   There are several organisations offering Train the Trainer courses, but I don’t think they deliver the programmes to a ‘Trainer Certification Standard’ (whatever this may entail).

   It is for the reason stated above that when I started delivering training that I decided to study firstly, the City & Guilds 730 certificate, and then the CertEd in Further Education, and then now masters in Education & Training.

   Incidetally, Microsoft accepts the City & Guilds 730 and/or CertEd (FE) as part of the requirements of its newly created Microsoft Office User Specialist Authorised Instructor (MOUS AI) qualification.

   Hope this helps. Please do correct me if I am mistaken.

   Robert ANGGONO BA (Hons), CertEd (FE), MOUS AI.

2. Trainer Certification
   Depending on exactly what skills you are looking at, the Certificate in Training Practice (an IPD qualification) is very good, and takes its delegates through the training cycle.

3. Try the S/NVQ in Training and Development
   A widely used standard for training is the S/NVQ in Training and Development. These are available at Level III (the basic trainer’s level) and Level IV (aimed at managing a training programme and/or training staff). Under certain circumstances, these awards can be usd to gain IPD accreditation. They are excellent awards, covering all the major aspects of the trainer’s job: training needs analysis, designing training sessions or programmes (depending on level), designing, adapting and selecting training materials, delivering group and one-to-one training sessions, creating a supportive environment for training (including equal opportunities considerations), handling group dynamics, assessment (the famous D32/33 and D34 are units within these awards), evaluating training sessions, self evaluation, coaching, etc.

   Cynthia Shuken
   Citizens Advice Scotland

4. Leeds Metropolitan Univ
   Leeds uni run really good courses ranging from Cert Ed to an MA(HON) degree. I have undertaken the Cert Ed and am happy to discuss this with you. It can be undertaken as distance learning. I am looking to go onto the Ma.

5. Trainer Certification Standards
   There is an international Trainer Certification called CTT – Certified Technical Trainer. It is an industry neutral certification and is used in many areas from Human Resources to Business and Management to IT and Telecommunications. It is based on the competencies defined by the International Board for Standards in Training Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI).

   There are two parts to the certifcation – a computer-based test and an assessment of a video of a training session. The cost of taking the test and having the video scored is about £200 so it’s quite a cost effective way of getting an internally recognised qualification.

   For IT Trainers, CTT is recognised by most of the major vendors including Microsoft, Novell, Adobe, Corel, Oracle, Informix etc thereby obviating the need to do individual certifications for each vendor. For example those trainers wishing to gain their MCT or Mous AI can use CTT to fulfil the instructor skills requirements of those certifications. If they then cross train to Novell or Adobe, they have already fulfilled the Instructor Skills requirement and only need to take the product exams.

   CTT is also recognised by the Institute of Training and Occumpational Learning for membership.

   CTT is administered in Europe by Corporate Learning (www.corplearn.co.uk).

   I hope this helps.

6. ITOL – CORRECTION
   CORRECTION

   CTT (see ‘waynes’ posting of 16 January) is NOT recognised by the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning for any level of membership. All eligible qualifications are listed on our public website at http://www.traininginstitute.co.uk

   Jeffrey Brooks
   Director
   Institute of Training and Occupational Learning

7. Trainer Certification
   My training as an instructor and as a training manager in the Forces was excellent – very practical, relevant and with just the right balance of theory. It was in several stages ammounting to some 3 months of full time learning and, coupled with the instructor categorisation scheme, tracked quality and effectiveness throughout the career of all instructors and training managers.

   The Certificate in Training Practice (CIPD have details) mentioned elsewhere is very similar in approach & result. I believe some care is needed with the Level 4 NVQ as far as developing delivery skills is concerned. Perhaps the CTP for delivery and the L4 NVQ for management may be a route to consider?

   I know that ITOL has been doing a lot of work in this area and would recommend you visit there web site to check things out.

8. New standards
   A propos the last contribution (24/1), the S/NVQ in Training and Development at Level IV has a range of optional units, some focusing on training delivery skills and some on programme management skills. The Training and Development standards (to be called Learning and Development in future) are currently being rewritten. Consultation on the draft standards has taken place, so the new standards are expected to be out towards the end of this year. You can look at them online via the Employment NTO website (www.empnto.co.uk – then go into Projects and then Review of Standards) to see for yourself the things that are likely to be included.