Do you need the CPLP certification?

Over the past few years, I have noticed the growing demand and encouragement for training professionals to pursue the American Society for Training and Development's CPLP certification.

The CPLP designation demonstrates to employers one's commitment to ethical work; one's ability to apply elements of a professional standard to one's work; and one's commitment to ongoing professional development and continuing education in the field (necessary for maintaining the credential).

For many "accidental trainers," it offers recognition to those individuals employed as learning professionals who are already eminently qualified in all respects, but who lack a formal academic degree in learning & performance (in some cases, because such programs were not available when they attended college / university).

In addition, ASTD offers a multitude of certificates which lends itself to Human Performance Improvement, Instructional Design and E-Learning Development. However, for those of us who have spent the majority of our career field in the  Training and Development arena and have obtained Bachelor, Master, and Specialist degrees, we are scratching our heads on whether certifications are necessary for our careers.

In my opinion, I would say no, but I know my ideal view of the job market isn’t the real world. The ideal world would expect employers and hiring managers to be other Training and Development professionals. Individuals who have a full grasp of the work we do and the needed KSAs we need to possess when pursuing an employment opportunity. As candidates, we would be able to articulate such experience through our resume and a portfolio and the employer would be able to gauge our ability to perform on the job.

1. There are other forms of education and training a training professional could have other than the CPLP such as a degree and/or a graduate certificate from an accredited university or that there are other organizations who offer credentialing certificates such as CompTIA's CTT+ certification or Langevin's Professional Certification for Trainers.
2. Certifications from any credentialing organization are expensive though it is an investment, but an investment just like pursuing an academic degree. To obtain both is not necessary.

By no means am I disputing ASTD for offering certifications to be available to those who lack a formal academic degree in learning and performance or related programs. I am, however, stressing that it is not and should never be a requirement for employment or to be competitive in the field. These types of certifications should be considered as an alternative to an academic degree in the field.

If you have any additional input about certifications or questions, please contact me at carolyn.ford@dreamqwest.com