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<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>The certified trainer program is dwindling and doesn't get much
attention nor enthusiasm from trainers really. <br>
This email is to open the discussion on stopping with the
certification program, and to provide an alternative.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.blender.org/certification/">https://www.blender.org/certification/<br>
</a></p>
We installed the certification program in 2007 on popular request,
provided that:
<p>- there would be a clear process in place to validate trainers<br>
- it would be managed well, preferably by trainers themselves.</p>
I always had mixed feelings about providing official certification.
A certificate's value is fully determined by the quality of the
validation procedure and to have a decent examination process. The
process we had in place for validating trainers was very
minimal. <br>
<p>Yet we accepted to do this, because in 2007 many trainers said it
would help them to get in business. Their clients or universities
demanded that. Unfortunately that has been true for very few
people only.</p>
<p>Currently there are only 12 active certifications.<br>
</p>
<p>I propose to stop with certification now. Not only because of
lack of interest, lack of quality in the program, but especially
because it does not support the Blender Foundation's goal - which
is about supporting projects on blender.org related to making
Blender.<br>
</p>
<p>What I then rather do instead is to re-activate this mailing
list, and discuss with educators what Blender Foundation can do to
help everyone here better. For example with a section on
blender.org where educators and trainers can meet and exchange
useful information and share or download training material. The
Blender Foundation could add also add staff efforts to coordinate
this.</p>
I know this mailing list hasn't been very active. Hope the mail
arrives, and I'm curious to read your reactions.
<p>Thanks,<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-signature">
-Ton-
<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
Ton Roosendaal - <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ton@blender.org">ton@blender.org</a> - <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.blender.org">www.blender.org</a><br>
Chairman Blender Foundation, Director Blender Institute<br>
Buikslotermeerplein 161, 1025 ET Amsterdam, the Netherlands<br>
<br>
<br>
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