Tell us about yourself and your role at CompTIA?
Over the last 20 years, I have spent much of my career in learning and development and creating customized training solutions. For many years, I was involved in business development and also enjoyed time as an eLearning consultant for staff development. I worked with international organizations and local workforce development agencies to build custom training solutions for their learners.
My journey at CompTIA started in 2002, and I have had several roles. Most notably, I created and developed CompTIA’s Authorized Partner Program and the CompTIA Instructor Network. Both were designed to support and train instructors and partner staff on our certifications. I have spent most of my time at CompTIA as a Certification Product Manager for several exams, one of which is CTT+.
What is the Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification and who is it for?
CompTIA CTT+ certification provides a globally recognized measure of core skills, actions, and behaviors that competent instructors must demonstrate. The certification validates an instructor’s excellence in preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation, and evaluation in a classroom environment.
CompTIA purchased the certification from the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) in 1999. The certification target audience was technical classroom trainers. Our organization was building technical certifications, and it was crucial to have a standard on how trainers teach and engage adults. As CTT+ evolved over the last 20 years, we enhanced it to expand the target audience to non-technical trainers and added a virtual classroom training option.
To become CTT+ certified today, a candidate must pass both a computer-based test that assesses knowledge (CTT+ Essentials Exam TK0-201), and a performance-based exam where the candidate demonstrates prescribed skills (CTT+ Performance Based Exam TK0-202 or TK0-203). CTT+ validates the knowledge and use of tools and techniques necessary for successfully teaching in today’s learning environment.
The performance-based exam is unique because the candidate must submit a pre-designed 17- to 22-minute video. Third-party unbiased judges then review and score the video. The preparation for the video submission is where the trainer acquires the most knowledge and skills. Both exams are available in several languages to allow trainers to submit their videos in their preferred language.
We receive video submissions that cover a wide range of topics, which is a testament to how this certification is beneficial for any industry. Some examples include:
- NFL Rules/How to Follow a Professional Football Game
- Healthy Dieting
- Virtual Gaming/Online Gaming
- How to Use Ultrasound Equipment
- How to Enhance a PowerPoint Presentation
- Creating a Signature in Outlook
How can the partnership between CompTIA and Training magazine help members?
As we started to talk to Training magazine, they mentioned they often get asked if they offer a trainer certification. Training magazine offers several effective trainer certificate programs where an individual can attend a course and receive a certificate of attendance. Now with our partnership, they can offer the training, and candidates can then take the CTT+ exams to validate their skills with an industry certification. Individuals may also choose to self-study and take the exams on their own.
Through this partnership, member organizations can learn to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience both in the classroom and virtual classroom environments.
Corporate members might also be interested in CompTIA’s full portfolio of IT Certifications (for example: A+ for IT Support staff, Cloud+ for Cloud administrators, and a series of cybersecurity certifications, just to name a few). CompTIA offers a vast range of learning solutions for these certifications. This includes CompTIA Official Content, exam preparation materials, continuing education, and train-the-trainer options. Our program is fully customizable tailored to meet the needs of our customers.
What companies currently require or recommend CTT+ as part of their hiring process?
Several organizations employ CTT+ certified instructors. For instance, Ricoh has been our customer from the beginning and certifies its technical trainers worldwide.
Other organizations are Philips Healthcare, Dell, Unity, Esri, U.S. Airforce, New Horizons, Canon, and PG&E, to name a few. Different organizations use CTT+ for various types of training and development.
