Certifications and qualifications… attract a certain level of kudos, yet what do they mean and what sets them apart?
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Certifications
Certifications prove that an individual has completed the learning process and achieved the stated objectives.
Meaning that the strength of a professional certification is based on a fundamental trust that the individual who receives a credential (the certification) has proven he or she possesses the required experience, knowledge or skills of a profession or practice. This credibility is paramount for the credential to maintain value for individual stakeholders, the profession and the public.
Developing a reputable certification program requires expertise in several areas. Whether the program sponsor is a private or public entity, in-depth knowledge of the industry and job tasks, educational requirements and eligibility requirements, assessments and maintenance are a few aspects that must be included in the program development plan.
Certifications can provide a post nominal title and the use of official certification material such as a brand logo to help prove your certification.
Certifications are unique; they show a commitment to life-long learning as re-certification is usually required approximately three years after each new certification.
Five Characteristics of Valued Certifications:
1. Built on demonstrated market need – There must be perceived value in distinguishing those who have proven competency and those who have not.
2. Objectivity – Certified and independent subject matter experts, third-party endorsement and autonomy in governing the certification program are essential in developing and maintaining a valid and legally defensible credential.
3. Rigor – A certification that requires little effort or knowledge or one that everyone can earn is typically of lower value than one that demands great effort, determination, experience, knowledge and skill. A rigorous regimen of training and assessment is essential to a successful certification program, which by its nature is often perceived as a competitive advantage.
4. Emphasis on ethics – Ethical conduct covers a broad range of topics, from protecting the certification assessment from cheaters to ensuring the ethical practice of the profession.
5. Re-certification – As all industries and organizations grow and change, professionals that serve them must do the same. One way to determine the value of certifications is to check if the education provider has a re-certification process in place. This shows that they also have a commitment to ensuring skills remain current and reflect the very latest changes in your chosen sector. Plus, the re-certification process should be quick easy and cost effective.
Certification Benefits for the Employer
– Employees’ skills are enhanced every three years with new learning to bring staff’s knowledge up-to-date with the very latest changes and technical developments within the industry
– Ensures employees are also aware of the latest working standards and codes of practice
– Provides certification for a further three years after each re-certification
– Allows training budgets to be forecast accurately on an on-going basis
Certification Benefits for the Employee
– Provides certification for further three years
– Keeps knowledge and skills in line with industry requirements
– Provides a post nominal title i.e. Martin Smith CDCDP®
– Provides access to the latest program material
Qualifications
Qualifications are valid for life, they do not need renewing.
Qualifications differ from certifications in that they are controlled by international educational bodies and only approved centers can offer qualifications. The process to become an approved Centre is a rigorous one and re-assessment is required to maintain approved center status every 12 months. CNet Training is an approved center and have been for over twenty years.
Individuals who have been awarded qualifications can therefore have the added confidence that they have received high quality education from a respected and trusted organization. An organization that has strict processes in place for quality of delivery and who themselves are assessed to ensure they continue to deliver the right high-quality educational content that continues to meet the set learning objectives set for each program. This highlights the fact that only the best education companies can gain this approved center status.
There are different qualification levels and each level can be referenced across the world.
Five Elements That Approved Centers Must Do to Remain Approved to Offer Qualifications:
1. Center Management Systems – demonstrate robust systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all qualification delivery and assessment staff.
2. Policies and Procedures – ensuring clear policies and procedures are in place to internally verify all aspects of the learning and assessment of it.
3. Program Delivery – the centre must employ, update and continue to educate and qualify Instructors to ensure appropriate management, delivery assessment and internal verification
4. Assessment – use a range of appropriate assessment methods that remove the opportunities for plagiarism, assessment tools have appropriate vocational context, are written at the right level and the assessment is tracked and graded appropriately and evidenced
5. Internal Verification – verification of assignment documentation is thorough, planned, recorded and used to enhance future practice. Verification records are accurate and available for audit as needed.
Benefits for the Employer
– Ensures your employees are trained to a specified level at that time, however does not have the ability to keep knowledge and skills up-to-date and in-line with the industry on an on-going basis
– Usually incurs just a one-off fee
– You can be sure the training/education provider is a professional company as the criteria to become an approved centre is quite a rigorous process
Benefits for the Employee
– Provides official recognition for your knowledge and skills at the time of taking the examination or passing the program
– Qualifications are recognised globally by comparing the educational levels
Many training organizations provide self-certificated training i.e. award attendance certificates with no awarding organization or academic processes, rigor or assessment. Whilst they are entitled to do that it should not be confused with the higher and vocational education programs provided by professional training and education providers such as CNet Training, which lead to the award of a bona-fide qualification by a true, authorized awarding organization (Pearson – who is the world’s largest education company).
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To discuss the best technical education programs for you and your teams across the data center and network infrastructure sectors, please contact CNet Training – info@www.cnet-training.com.
www.cnet-training.com
Sources: Pearson VUE
