[email protected] tctrainnet localizationworld silicon valley 2011 dr. michael fritz, ceo tekom /...
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TCTrainNetLocalizationWorld Silicon Valley 2011
Dr. Michael Fritz, CEO tekom / tcworld GmbH
In German-speaking countries 83,000 persons currently employed in Technical Communication (tekom 2010) Roughly 70% of all TC employees do not have a formal qualification in TC,
most of them are lateral career movers. These people are looking for different ways to prove their professional skills
Career prospects are very good: Demand for qualified Technical Communicators is constantly high, job satisfaction is pretty high, salary in Germany can be equivalent to engineers
Especially in uncertain times certificates can be helpful
Certificates provide greater career stability and better career prospects
Why certification in Technical Communication?
Internationally Career prospects differ: Traditional jobs have disappeared e.g. in the US, new
jobs were created elsewhere e.g. in India In Emerging Markets demand is growing / will be growing where R&D is
deployed In most countries the job profile of Technical Communicators is not (yet)
known, e.g. East Europe, South Europe, Emerging Markets No university programs or private training courses exist there
Certification helps bridging the gap
Why certification in Technical Communication?
Localization Industry Many contracts with customers from Technical Communication But also many issues with these customers because of bad source texts Translators and customers should be familiar with the basic requirements of
Technical Communication
Certification helps bridging the gap
Localization Companies
Certification can be a new business activity
Why certification in Technical Communication?
tekom‘s Certification System up to now
The tekom certification system has been established in the year 2003 for the German / Austrian market.
The system is based on 18 qualification modules. For the final examination
The first 4 modules are compulsory, 4 additional ones have to be chosen from the other 14 modules
Candidates have to write a theses and pass an oral exam > 500 Technical Communicators have been certified since then. 8 training companies are accredited, now. >150 certification examinations each year
tekom‘s Certification System in the future
The certification system will be transferred to the international market, starting in the year 2011 The procedures for the international market will be predominantly web-based All contents will be in English
The procedures and contents for Germany / Austria will stay the same
tekom First Certificate
Certification of basic skills for professionals working in the field of technical communication
Emphasis on relevant skills for the practise Basic knowledge about the most important subject areas of technical
communication Good practical knowledge of the most important standards, methods and
procedures in Technical Communication
Easy preparation for the examination using the TCTrainingPlatform
Training in 8 qualification modules = 21 sub-modules Over 120 training hours
Audience Persons who are new in Technical Communication Translators in the field of Technical Translations
Prerequisites None
Deliverables Work through the online training Complete all exercises during the online training
Examination Complete an online examination Pass an oral test
tekom First Certificate
tekom Advanced Certificate
Certification of enhanced skills and knowledge in Technical Communication
Certifies advanced skills in Technical Communication Advanced knowledge about theories and concepts plus practical skills in
methods and procedures Enables independent work in Technical Communication
Additional occupational training Includes the (exemplary) development of an information product Reflection on work About 250 training hours
Audience Employees in Technical Communication with formal qualification on First Level Translators in the field of Technical Translation with formal qualification on First
Level
Prerequisites tekom First Certificate plus preferably more than 2 years experience in
Technical Communication or completion of an equivalent training program
tekom Advanced Certificate
Deliverables Self-study of literature Credit points acquired at one of our training partners’ coursesand/or Attending conferences
Examination Develop an example of an information product Write a report on theories and methods applied Pass a web-based examination
tekom Advanced Certificate
tekom Trainer Certificate
General Specific skills in training of TC Development of own course concepts for TC Knowledge of the tekom certification program Ability to guide trainees successfully through the program
Audience Trainers in the field of Technical Communication Trainers in the field of Translation Trainers in the field of Engineering Training bodies, who want to offer tekom certification (obligatory)
Prerequisites tekom Advanced Certificate and more than 2 years experience in Technical
Communication or technical translation Experience as a trainer
tekom Trainer Certificate
Deliverables Credit Points (seminars, self-study of literature)
Examination Developing of a training concept Oral examination (web-based)
tekom Trainer Certificate
Learning Contents
Based on the tekom qualification modules The LMS includes 8 out of 18 qualification modules, including 21 sub-
modules: Module 1. Legal requirements and standards for technical communication Module 2: Information development Module 3: Structuring and standardisation Module 4: Professional Writing Module 7: Multilingual documentation and localization Module 8: Terminology Module 9: Design and visual appearance / lay-out Module 11: Online documentation
Teaching and Training Methods
Blended Learning Approach Easy access to training Training of people who are geographically widely dispersed in a relatively short
time Flexible learning regardless of location and time Reduced journey times and travel costs / cost savings Easy provision of teaching/learning material through the eLearning platform Multiple use of media-edited learning materials Opportunities for interaction and group work Intensive support Helpful to bridge intercultural gaps
Participants of the Pilot Project 2011/2012
15 Countries involved 16 Potential Training Partners 1 Potential Certification Partner 4 Universities (with 19 university staff persons) 9 individual Technical Writers (Test group) 59 persons participating in total
Goals of the Pilot Project
Testing of the TCTrainingPlatform Knowledge Transfer
“Train the Trainer” for potential Training or Certification Partners Knowledge transfer for the professors of our Partner Universities Training for a test group
Intensify relationships with the different partners
Two types of partners
Training Partners Get a license to train persons who want to acquire the tekom certification on
First Level or Advanced Level Can sell the time-limited use of the TCTrainingPlatform to their customers for a
maintenance fee (payable to tekom) Can get their customers certified by the regional Certification Partner for a
certification fee (payable to the CP) Earn the training fees from their customers
Two types of partners
Certification Partners Supervise certification examinations in the target countries More information available on request
Partner Relationship
TCPartnersNet will operate like a franchise system Partners will have to be accredited tcworld and partner will the negotiate a partnership
agreement (contract) Partners can then in the position to market and sell the
training courses in their region Partners can choose between flexible rates per course
depending on service levels
Support
tekom maintains the TCTrainingPlatform tekom creates more contents for the TCTrainingPlatform tekom creates and supervises the certifications tekom employs permanent staff for the management of the
accreditations, trainings, and certifications Training Partners can offer tekom certification Certification Partners are allowed to advertise that they are
the only institution that runs tekom examinations in their region
Thank you very much for your attention! Questions …Discussion points …Next Steps …
http://www.tc-train.net/