technical trainer

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; educational technology; Aerospace technology; and topics in the field of engineering.

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.[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=technical+trainer&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Ctechnical%20trainer%3B%2Cc0 Google Ngram: "technical trainer"] 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.[http://www.rafweb.org/Cmd_H3A.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1939 - 1957] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111221936/http://www.rafweb.org/Cmd_H3A.htm |date=2011-01-11 }}

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.Smith, Darryl P. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160220160804/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54577396.html "Selecting and preparing effective trainers."] Modern Casting. American Foundry Society, Inc. 1999. The former National Skill Standards Board in the United States developed a set of skill standards for technical trainers.[http://www.careersined.org/documents/Professional Technical Instructors Skill Standards.pdf]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}

Currently, competence frameworks for technical trainers are not well developed.{{cite book|author1=Marope, P.T.M.|author2=Chakroun, B.|author3=Holmes, K.P.|title=Unleashing the potential: transforming technical and vocational education and training|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XLL9CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA114|date=26 May 2015|publisher=UNESCO Publishing|isbn=978-92-3-100091-1|page=114}} 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.Gauld, D. & Miller, P. (2004), [https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090590410513866 'The qualifications and competencies held by effective workplace trainers'], Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 28, no. 1, pp.8-22.

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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160220150720/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-213746003.html "CompTIA and Technical Communities Partner for Government Access to Certifications."], Health & Beauty Close-Up. Close-Up Media, Inc. 2009.

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. Up to the mid-1990s it published a magazine and hosted a conference specifically for technical trainers.[http://www.mr-pbet.com/Professional-Organizations.htm 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.

• Vocational education

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• Leininger, R. A., Bablak, A. M., Musatto, M. I. and Rand, E. (1992), [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pfi.4170310106/citedby "Transforming technical experts to technical trainers"], Nonprofit Management Leadership, 31: 21–28. doi: 10.1002/pfi.4170310106.
• Wakefield, S. (2011), [https://www.td.org/Publications/Books/Technical-Training-Basics "Technical Training Basics"], ASTD Press. {{ISBN|9781562867553}}

Category:Vocational education