Career and Development - Qualification Programs

Question 1

Why are qualification programs important?

Answer 1

They identify the competencies that must be mastered to ensure that employees have the skills and knowledge to perform specified tasks

Can cover a wide range of efforts, including academic, vocational, or skills-related

Question 2

When are qualification programs particularly important?

Answer 2

where safety is a priority such as healthcare, chemical processing, and electrical systems

Question 3

Qualification

Answer 3

• determined based on achieving narrowly defined content with specific learning objectives
• is awarded if the standards, such as a passing score, are met
• process has limited rigor and discipline
• A qualification program may be delivered as a classroom experience followed by a knowledge exam conducted by the trainer
• Valid for life or require the learning experience/test be repeated

Question 4

Certificate

Answer 4

• earned by acquiring knowledge
• Course attendance is often the only requirement, although a test or project may be required
• receive a non-expiring certificate but are not certified

Question 5

Assessment-based certificate

Answer 5

• more rigorous than a certificate
• non-degree granting program delivers training and evaluates participants’ acquisition of skills, knowledge, and competencies
• individuals meet performance, proficiency, or pass standards for the assessment(s)

Question 6

Certification

Answer 6

• a program that is administered by an NGO and assesses whether an individual has the knowledge and skill to perform a role measured against a set standard
• based on a broad body of knowledge, not specific LOs
• grants individuals a credential for a specified period of time
• available to those who meet predetermined, standardized criteria, and the knowledge required to pass an assessment is learned through classes, self-study, and experience
• Assessment is independent of class or training
• those who train the content cannot conduct the assessment
• Recipients must meet renewal requirements

Question 7

What is a key difference between qualifications and certification programs?

Answer 7

Qualification programs are often a job requirement to ensure employees remain competent. These are often used in roles where safety or people’s lives are a concern.

Certification is generally voluntary.

Question 8

What are the common reasons why an org would implement either a certification or qualification program?

Answer 8

• Build capacity for the organization’s talent needs.
• Attract qualified candidates to become employees.
• Provide training and development.
• Offer individuals recognition of achievement.
• Address a regulatory requirement.
• Meet the requirement to be legally defensible.
• Address the industry requirements for a license, certification, or other qualification program

Question 9

What are the 9 steps involved in designing a qualification or certification program?

Answer 9

1. Establish the goals for the effort
2. Analyze the audience by projecting size and location
3. Analyze jobs or roles to determine which will be certified/qualified and what skills/knowledge are required (important for assessment)
4. Prepare budget/finance model/pricing structure
5. Determine a model/framework/features for the program - name, paths available, how it will be introduced, whether there will be stackable exams, exam format
6. Assess training to determine if it needs to be created or redesigned, as well as what materials for training and self-study will need to be created
7. Determine a timeline that includes a launch date, marketing plan and design, cohort selection, unveiling credential name, etc.
8. Develop training delivery and exam using SMEs to create a question bank.
9. Check all legal concerns and have NDAs signed

Question 10

Which is more expensive: Qualification or Certification Program?

Answer 10

Certification program

Question 11

What budget needs may be associated with either?

Answer 11

Exam development, training development, LMS add-ons for tracking and reporting

Question 12

What are responsibilities and decisions after design is complete?

Answer 12

• whether to run test pilot
• marketing campaign - collecting testimonials, write blog post, get senior-level leader involved
• determine a plan for security of exam questions
• create email address for the program
• develop update plan

Question 13

What are ongoing efforts related to qualification or certification program?

Answer 13

• offering the courses related to the program
• tracking employees who have applied, enrolled, completed program
• managing how learners access self-paced materials, reference docs, job aids
• create reports for their stakeholders

Question 14

What are the 6 main phases for developing a program?

Answer 14

1. Due diligence - Establish goals, analyze audience, analyze jobs/roles, prepare finance model
2. Determine the model - name, credentials, learning paths, intro to program, stackable exams
3. Assess training - assess existing training and develop self-study materials
4. Determine timeline - launch date, marketing plan, first cohort selection, employee communications plan
5. Develop training delivery and exam - develop training materials, create question bank, determine plan for security of exam questions, determine whether to pilot test, check legal concerns, sign NDAs
6. Ongoing - manage access to materials