Technical trainer

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A technical trainer is an

educator or teacher who trains or coaches others in some field of technology
. The task requires a certain set of competencies, but many technical trainers do not hold specific technical-training qualifications. Although there are professional organizations and publications of relevance to technical trainers, few of these are specifically focused on that profession.

Types of technical trainers

Although a generic professional description can be applied to all technical trainers, as is true of any profession, many specializations exist. These include

Aerospace technology; and topics in the field of engineering
.

History

The need for technical training existed before computers or even electronics, but the term "technical trainer" has only been in the common lexicon since the mid-20th century.[1] For example, RAF Technical Training Command was a distinct unit between 1940 and 1968, providing training in aircraft maintenance and other non-flying activities to British forces.[2]

Competencies

It is often pointed out that effective technical trainers need qualities over and above technical mastery. They need to have skills in working with people, and knowledge of a range of training techniques.[3] The former National Skill Standards Board in the United States developed a set of skill standards for technical trainers.[4]

Certification

Currently, competence frameworks for technical trainers are not well developed.[5] Among those technical trainers who have university degrees, the most frequent degree is in education; but many technical trainers are not formally qualified in the field.[6]

Several organizations do provide certification for teachers and other educators in technology. For example, the American trade association CompTIA provides the CTT+ (Certified Technical Trainer) qualification, which is internationally recognized for trainers in the information technology field.[7]

Professional organizations

The

e-learning. Up to the mid-1990s it published a magazine and hosted a conference specifically for technical trainers.[8]

The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) organizes an annual conference and other educational events, publishes books and periodicals, and supports research in performance improvement in the workplace.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Google Ngram: "technical trainer"
  2. ^ Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1939 - 1957 Archived 2011-01-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Smith, Darryl P. "Selecting and preparing effective trainers." Modern Casting. American Foundry Society, Inc. 1999.
  4. ^ Technical Instructors Skill Standards.pdf[permanent dead link]
  5. ISBN 978-92-3-100091-1
    .
  6. ^ Gauld, D. & Miller, P. (2004), 'The qualifications and competencies held by effective workplace trainers', Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 28, no. 1, pp.8-22.
  7. ^ "CompTIA and Technical Communities Partner for Government Access to Certifications.", Health & Beauty Close-Up. Close-Up Media, Inc. 2009.
  8. ^ a b Professional Organizations for Trainers, Mr PBET blog, Richard Goutal.

Further reading

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