Conference Certification

If your company has an annual conference with over 5,000 attendees, certification exams should be offered at the conference.

Things to consider:

1) Is there a quiet room where the exams can be taken?

2) Is there computer connectivity?

3) Are you offering pre-conference exam reduced rates?

4) How will you let your conference attendees know that your exams will be available?

5) You will need to offer exams early in the morning and into the early evening - people will want that availability.

Keep tuned for a word document that will help you prepare for conference testing.

Following the 'Think' plan

Before you launch your certification program, what should you do?

Think.

Follow the 'Think' plan

Talk to your certification team and perform program research. Get the buy in of your manager, the Director of Education & the CEO. Only with that sign off, can you move forward.

Help your colleagues to see and believe in the value of the certification plan. By doing this, you will secure a loyal and dedicated base of support.

Improve your current training offerings. Ensure that your training programs are up to date and that they support and compliment your certification program.

Negotiate the best vendor contracts to support your certification program. Vendors contracts include, psychometric services, exam delivery services, marketing and fulfillment services.

Know your certification project plan (this plan includes the development, the design and the marketing plan) inside out and communicate it every week to the certification stakeholders

The top 5 mistakes made when launching a new certification program

1) Not knowing the size of the certification audience

2) Not performing a deep and wide job task analysis that includes external partners

3) Signing on the wrong exam delivery vendor

4) Over-burdening the item writing subject matter experts

5) Not doing the "correct" marketing. Certification is a specific type of product line and needs targeted and specific marketing campaigns.

A question that I am frequently asked....

Can I take an on-line un-proctored assessment and class myself as "certified".

I really like the way "Dear Techie" in www.certmag.com has answered this question. Read the Q and A below.

Nicely done Dear Techie!

http://www.certmag.com/dear_techie/

Dear Techie,

I am a .NET developer with over five years’ experience, and I am looking to move from programming into networking. I have knowledge of how networks work and of the OSI model. I started looking into the Brainbench Network Technical Support, Windows 2003 Server Administration and Cisco Network Design certifications as a starting point. I do plan to get CompTIA Network+, Security+, MCSA and eventually the CEH. Should I spend time working towards the Brainbench stuff or start now preparing for the Network+ exam?

Asked by Cornell D. Hunter on (07-23-2009)

Ken Wagner: Dear Cornell D. Hunter,

While Brainbench is great at what it does, a lot of people and companies do not view Brainbench certifications as actual qualifications. They are seen more as assessments because the online exams are available without any checks on the person taking the exam. I am not saying that this is a good or bad thing, but look at testing centers such as Certiport, Pearson Vue and Prometric: They not only proctor the exams, but also ask for two forms of ID to ensure candidate identity. You can see why exams taken at those centers are looked upon more favorably. If you want to bulk up your resume — or just want some study aids — then go for the Brainbench certifications. If you’re expecting guarantees of a job with them, then no certification or qualification can do that. If you’re expecting universal acceptance of Brainbench certifications as recognized qualifications, then I would say continue the CompTIA route. For the MCSA, Microsoft states: “An MCSA candidate should have one to twelve months of experience in working with a desktop operating system, a network operating system and an existing network infrastructure.” While it is not set in stone, it is expected that the candidate have some experience at that level. As for the CEH route, I would double-check its site. The CEH and related certifications are more geared up toward IT security personnel in the role already. I’m not saying don’t go for it. What I am strongly recommending is to concentrate on the job role you’re going for before you start to look around for another role.

NOCA and creating a standard for Certificates

This year, I took part in a group of professionals that gathered together to create an American standard for certificates. It was an exciting group of meetings and it was a privilege to work with some very talented individuals from the Certification and Training Industry.

The NOCA certificate standard was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard.

The NOCA 1100 Standard is the FIRST American National Standard for certificate programs.

http://noca.org/

Certifying Experience: The New Frontier

Certifying Experience: The New Frontier

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This is an excellent article that discusses many of the points that most certification managers have difficulty testing on: Competance

Certification Value

9 times out of 10, people and companies get certified because they have to.
I don't know many people who take exams for fun therefore, they generally take exams because they have to.

My job as a certification manager is to make the process as valuable to the company and individual as possible.
My aim is to make the process interesting, educational and rewarding - in that - the individual or company seeking certification actually gets something out of the entire process.

When building certification programs of value, the certification status, once obtained, should mean something to the certified individual.

The certified entity (individual or company) should gain access to world of new possibilities.

The individual should also know what the next step is on the certification ladder.

Certification is about growth. With each certification, the individual should be clear about the next goal or certification in sight.

Does your certification program do that?
Ask yourself.......
Do the people getting certified value their certification status?
Are they proud to say to others that they are certified?
Is there a feeling of achievement attached to attaining the goal?

The next post will discuss how to create that "value" in your program.