Certification - What does it mean?
There are many institutions and organizations who offer certification in a variety of careers but, as with mainstream education, a degree or certificate from one organization may carry more weight or importance than a similar document from another. The varying degrees of respect carried by these organizations is not the curriculum offered or the number of students or even the size of the institution from which the diploma was received. It is the quality and skill of the graduates the organization sends into the workplace.
As the need for specialized training increases within our community so, too, has the need for qualified trainers to provide the instruction necessary for students to gain a strong foothold within the AT field who can provide the quality of training to those who will pass the baton to the next generation of trainers.
The vast majority of trainers within our industry are “self-taught.” They have learned the keystrokes and commands necessary to accomplish specific tasks. They may be skilled in the use of some access technology but have never been able to take the time to truly immerse themselves in the operating system, applications, and screen readers to learn the differences among the three, learn the concepts that are unique to each and truly gain a robust understanding of the software they, themselves are teaching.
This inability to truly immerse themselves in the operating system is, in most cases, based on the fact that people must make a living and so, passing on what information they have is, in the opinion of many, better than having no information at all; however, there is a strong desire within these trainers to know more, to improve their training style, to truly help their students gain the foundation they need to succeed. Thus, training programs are sprouting across the nation to answer these needs.
Before handing over hard-earned funds to training programs that promise to make you a proficient training in a matter of weeks or months, it is important that you do some homework. Take some time to do the following:
- Interview the instructor personally. Find out his/her philosophy and skill. What expectations does he/she have for you as a student and what does the organization offer to help you achieve this goal.
- How much experience does the trainer have in teaching other trainers? This may be important. If the instructor is new to the field but you feel a strong kinship or feel that this individual may well serve your needs, then you may have found the course you need.
- Speak to graduates of the course. Organizations should have no problem allowing access to graduates of their training for reference purposes.
- Ask about additional cost. Will you be expected to purchase additional materials (other than your software?) Make sure you know exactly what you are paying for once you enroll in the course.
- Understand the guidelines and rules before enrolling. Will you be allowed to graduate “no matter what” or will you be expected to meet live up to some expectations?
If your employer or rehab agency is paying for the training course, you may only have one opportunity at training, one opportunity at success. Once you have enrolled, dedicate yourself completely to success. Take whatever time you may need to study the skills, learn the concepts and prepare yourself for upcoming lessons. If you feel as though you cannot dedicate the time, give up a vacation, lose some sleep or otherwise commit the time necessary to success, do not enroll. I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to take advantage of opportunities offered. They only may come once in a lifetime and you must be ready to seize the moment and gain every bit of wisdom and experience you can.
In the end, each graduate will determine the worth of the certification offered by the organization from which he/she graduated. The quality of training, the commitment to student success, the ability to communicate, inspire and share every ounce of knowledge and affect the future of their charges in a positive way are what will place the graduates of one program head and shoulders above the rest.
The certification will be measured by the quality of service provided by those who hold it. When enrolling in a training program, be sure that only the most qualified trainers will be awarded certification. If it is a document that anyone can acquire, in the end, it will be just another piece of paper that will diminish as the work pool is flooded with graduates who warmed a seat for a number of hours but did not share your dedication and determination. If you set high standards of success for yourself, you owe it to yourself to do the same for the organization with whom you entrust your future.
