A technical trainer is an
educator
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.
''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
or
teacher who trains or coaches others in some field of
technology. The task requires a certain set of competencies, but many technical trainers do not hold specific technical-training qualifications. Although there are professional organizations and publications of relevance to technical trainers, few of these are specifically focused on that profession.
Types of technical trainers
Although a generic professional description can be applied to all technical trainers, as is true of any profession, many specializations exist. These include
information technology topics such as
Computer applications and
Computer Architecture and Design;
biomedical technology Biomedical technology is the application of engineering and technology principles to the domain of living or biological systems, with an emphasis on human health and diseases.
Biomedical engineering and Biotechnology alike are often loosely called ...
;
educational technology
Educational technology (commonly abbreviated as edutech, or edtech) is the combined use of computer hardware, software, and Education sciences, educational theory and practice to facilitate learning. When referred to with its abbreviation, edt ...
;
Aerospace technology; and topics in the field of
engineering.
History
The need for technical training existed before computers or even electronics, but the term "technical trainer" has only been in the common lexicon since the mid-20th century. For example,
RAF Technical Training Command was a distinct unit between 1940 and 1968, providing training in aircraft maintenance and other non-flying activities to British forces.
[Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1939 - 1957]
Competencies
It is often pointed out that effective technical trainers need qualities over and above technical mastery. They need to have skills in working with people, and knowledge of a range of training techniques. The former
National Skill Standards Board in the United States developed a set of skill standards for technical trainers.
Certification
Currently, competence frameworks for technical trainers are not well developed.
Among those technical trainers who have university degrees, the most frequent degree is in education; but many technical trainers are not formally qualified in the field.
Several organizations do provide certification for teachers and other educators in technology. For example, the American trade association
CompTIA provides the CTT+ (Certified Technical Trainer) qualification, which is internationally recognized for trainers in the
information technology field.
"CompTIA and Technical Communities Partner for Government Access to Certifications."
Health & Beauty Close-Up. Close-Up Media, Inc. 2009. Retrieved December 05, 2015 from HighBeam Research.
Professional organizations
The Association for Talent Development, formerly American Society for Training and Development, is a non-profit association for workplace learning and performance professionals. It organizes two regular international conferences relevant to technical trainers: its national convention, and the Techknowledge Conference on e-learning
Educational technology (commonly abbreviated as edutech, or edtech) is the combined use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning. When referred to with its abbreviation, edtech, it often refe ...
. Up to the mid-1990s it published a magazine and hosted a conference specifically for technical trainers.[Professional Organizations for Trainers]
Mr PBET blog, Richard Goutal.
The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) organizes an annual conference and other educational events, publishes books and periodicals, and supports research in performance improvement in the workplace.
See also
* Vocational education
References
Further reading
* Leininger, R. A., Bablak, A. M., Musatto, M. I. and Rand, E. (1992),
"Transforming technical experts to technical trainers"
Nonprofit Management Leadership, 31: 21–28. doi: 10.1002/pfi.4170310106.
* Wakefield, S. (2011)
"Technical Training Basics"
ASTD Press. {{ISBN, 9781562867553
Vocational education