[Bf-education] Terminating the Certified Trainer program...

[Ton Roosendaal]

Hi everyone,

The decision is now final, the network and the BFCT program will end.
https://www.blender.org/press/sunsetting-blender-network-in-2021/

I've had very passionate pleas for continuing the program, I understand 
that it worked for some of you very well.

My main issue remains though; I think we (Blender Foundation) can leave 
such certification to the market now. Learning Blender is relative easy, 
learning how to make awesome things with it... that's a lot of work and 
the teacher's skill.

Let me use this opportunity to wish everyone a great 2021.

If you have questions, I reply mails swiftly!

Thanks,

-Ton-
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ton Roosendaal - ton at blender.org - www.blender.org
Chairman Blender Foundation, Director Blender Institute
Buikslotermeerplein 161, 1025 ET Amsterdam, the Netherlands


On 23/09/2019 19:04, Ton Roosendaal wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> The certified trainer program is dwindling and doesn't get much 
> attention nor enthusiasm from trainers really.
> This email is to open the discussion on stopping with the 
> certification program, and to provide an alternative.
>
> https://www.blender.org/certification/
>
> We installed the certification program in 2007 on popular request, 
> provided that:
>
> - there would be a clear process in place to validate trainers
> - it would be managed well, preferably by trainers themselves.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> Currently there are only 12 active certifications.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> I know this mailing list hasn't been very active. Hope the mail 
> arrives, and I'm curious to read your reactions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Ton-
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ton Roosendaal - ton at blender.org - www.blender.org
> Chairman Blender Foundation, Director Blender Institute
> Buikslotermeerplein 161, 1025 ET Amsterdam, the Netherlands
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Bf-education mailing list
> Bf-education at blender.org
> https://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-education
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.blender.org/pipermail/bf-education/attachments/20201230/5d40cf91/attachment.htm>