A new focus

(Source: http://kompetenzen-technische-dokumentation.tekom.de/)

The new tekom competence framework has replaced the qualification modules since 01.01.2018 and sets a fundamentally new focus: tekom's qualification modules were structured in a topic-oriented manner. They described the skills required for technical editors in relation to individual subject areas (e.g. law, editorial systems, etc.). However, the job description of a technical editor itself with the associated roles and processes was not described.

This is where the competency framework comes in, which is structured in a process-oriented way and depicts typical working environments of technical writers in the context of creating information products with the associated work processes and the competencies required for this.

The competence framework is currently available in German, English and Chinese.

Detailed information on tekom's competence framework can be found here.

Determine your own skills profile

The tekom profiling tool helps interested parties to select specific requirements in the knowledge areas, competence fields, subject blocks and learning content of the competence framework and to create a personal competence profile with a detailed overview of existing knowledge and qualification requirements.

The individual competence profile can be printed out and used as a learning objective check for the duration of the training.

The pillars of tekom's qualification and certification system

As before, 2/3 of those working in technical communication are career changers and there are no statutory regulations for the qualification of technical writers. The pillars of tekom's qualification and certification system, which have proven their worth in the past, will therefore be retained. They include

• Qualification consulting by tekom
• Training and further education
• Certification exam

This will provide both people already working in technical communication and those interested in working in this field with comprehensive advice and the resulting further training options.

The qualification consultation

The tekom qualification consultation serves to determine individual training needs. As part of this consultation, the profiling tool is used to determine which skills and knowledge relevant to technical communication are available. Individual training recommendations are then formulated on this basis.

Whether and to what extent a qualification consultation is required depends on the type of further training planned and the individual entry requirements. Counseling is suitable for:

• Career changers without professional experience in the field of technical communication: You can obtain information about the competence requirements of the profession as part of the qualification consultation.
• Employees who already work in technical communication and have professional experience.

The tekom qualification consultation is open to all interested parties; it is non-binding and independent of further training offers or tekom certification. It is free of charge for tekom members.

Where can I get further training?

On the tekom website, interested parties can find an overview of training and further education courses in the field of technical communication. Some of these training and further education courses have been accredited by tekom (recognizable by the accreditation seal in the right-hand column of the table). The accreditation seal confirms that the training or further training course for technical writers meets the requirements and quality standards of tekom and can be completed with a tekom certificate.

The new certification levels

In contrast to the old system, certification according to the competence model is now possible at two successive certification levels - the Professional Level and the Expert Level:

• With the Professional Level qualification, graduates acquire the basic skills required to work as a technical writer in a team under supervision and to solve standard tasks. Graduates are familiar with the core competencies and steps of the information creation process and can also implement them independently in individual areas.
  The Professional Level certification is particularly suitable for people with no previous knowledge of technical communication.
• In addition to the core competencies, the Expert Level builds up knowledge in various optional areas (such as XML, project management). Graduates of the Expert Level are in a position to gain an overview of the essential interrelationships of the information process, to control them and to implement them independently.
  The Expert Level certification is particularly suitable for people with very good knowledge of technical communication and with more than two years of professional experience in this field, as well as for people who already have a Professional Level certification.

Both the Professional Level qualification and the Expert Level qualification are based on the classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

tecteam is accredited for qualification at both levels.

The recertification

The new tekom certification system requires formal recertification for both levels every five years. Proof must be provided of

• maintaining the required level of knowledge and skills through professional practice, for example through confirmation from the employer, and
• the maintenance and further development of skills through further training, for example by attending further training events, e.g. specialist conferences or seminars, of at least 40 hours within 5 years.

Innovations in the certification examination

Examination procedure for the Professional Level

The exam for the Professional Level includes

• a written practical assignment (90 minutes) and
• a written examination (30 minutes).

Examination procedure for the Expert Level

The examination for the Expert Level includes

• professionally relevant project work,
• a written examination (60 minutes) in the compulsory areas,
• an oral examination (20 minutes) in an elective area and
• the defense of the project work (20 minutes).