Product Training for the Technical Expert

26 The Operation of Hands‐On Learning: An Executive Summary

Overview

There are many operational tasks required to run a product training program that is both efficient and effective. This section covers three areas that may or may not be part of the direct responsibility of the subject matter expert. Even if an expert is not accountable for the outcome of these areas, it is important that they understand how each one functions and how it affects their training, their program, and your company.

Chapter 18 covers an area that many delve into with little or no knowledge: product proficiency certification. Certification is an important topic in product training. It is important for instructors, executives, and many in between to understand the difference between a certificate and a certification. There are good reasons to offer a certification program, and companies should not be afraid to do so. Product proficiency certification is an official acknowledgment of an individual’s ability to perform a particular task with your product. General industry knowledge is important and may be a prerequisite to certification, but certification requires evidence of a particular ability. A certificate, on the other hand, signifies the successful completion of an education program or process.

Chapter 19 is an overview of how to administrate a product training program. The message to the product expert is that administration matters. Never take lightly the value of good administration.

The ...