[TCP] certification (was: ranting STC)

[JimDexter at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/28/2007 6:54:16 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
doc at edwordsmith.com writes:

Who  would 
you trust to codify what it takes to be a certified tech writer? And  who 
would you trust to understand what being certified  means?


Two good questions. I'm moved to give answers, as one in  favor of 
certification.  
 
I would trust anyone to formulate the first certification  program, and I 
would then let those who would pay to be certified determine the  success/failure 
of the certifcation program (if lots of communicators decided  the 
certification program was worth the cost, it is a success).  If the  first attempt at a 
certification program fails to be popular (no one will pay to  be certified by 
it), let that program be replaced with a second attempt,  until  
communicators will pay to be certified AND be happy with the  results.  
 
When there is a certification program that is successful, I would be very  
suspicious about anyone that did not understand the value of  certification.  
 
Jim Dexter
 
 
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