Digital Research Skills Trainer Certification Guide

Are you a digital research skills trainer looking to get certified? Read this guide on what to consider before embarking on a certification pathway.

Who Is This Guide For?

Digital and data research skills trainers
Supervisors and managers of digital and data research skills trainers

Why Should I Consider Certification?

Validation

Validate your knowledge and skills

Findability

Be more findable by people searching for your skill set and more marketable

Future pathways

Establish a pathway for future professional development

Shared frame of reference

Provide national and international audiences with a shared frame of reference

How Are Certificates Awarded?

Competence

Competency-based certificates are awarded based on the learners’ ability to demonstrate a skill set and usually involves assessment against fixed criteria.

Membership

In instances where trainer certification is a prerequisite, admission into certain professional bodies or organisations automatically endorses one as a certified trainer.

Internship or apprenticeship

Some certifications are awarded on completion of an internship (often unpaid) or apprenticeship (often paid). Specific job-related skills gained during tenure are recognised.

Achievement

Some certifications include certification levels, which are tied to your industry experience and your level of achievement in assessments.

Certification Considerations

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the smorgasbord of courses, each selling their best features. In deciding a pathway for certification, it is useful to first determine which factors you value most. Here are some aspects of a course to consider:

Flexibility

Course content: some courses allow for customisation through unit selection. Does the course cater to a diverse range of learners and your preferred learning style?

Delivery: is this an in-person, online or hybrid course?

Portability

Is the certification sector specific?

How useful might the certification be if you were to change career pathways?

Currency

When was the last time the course was run?

Is the content likely to be current?

Recognition

Certifications can be recognised at different levels: international, national and state.

Check that the certification is recognised in Australia if the course is offered by an overseas provider.

Shelf life

Some certifications expire after a fixed number of years.

How often do you need to be recertified in order to maintain currency?

Endorsement

Is the certification you’re interested in endorsed by the professional association you are part of?

Are there professional requirements you need to meet?

Artefact

What does the certification look like?

Digital badging increases the visibility of your skill sets while micro-credentials allows you to stack your skills.

Duration

How much time are you able to invest in the course? Think about the length of the course, and remember to factor in the non-contact and self-study hours.

Assessment

How will you be assessed?

Are credits or recognition of prior learning (RPL) offered?

Cost

How much is the course?

What kinds of financial help might you be able to access?

Theory or practice?

Is there a workplace learning component to the course?

Are there opportunities for practical delivery?

Who will be organising the practicum or work placement?

At a Glance: 10 Trainer Courses

This course is available to people in member organisations. Instructors can be given a sponsored seat in instructor training.

Process

2 full days or 4 half days
Complete 3 short tasks as part of the checkout process.

Cost

US$500 to 1000 per instructor

Benefits

Internationally recognised
Instructor is qualified to teach data, software or library carpentry lessons

Consideration

Qualified instructors are expected to peer-teach.

Learn more about The Carpentries’ Instructor Certification.

This course is for people teaching in higher education and geared towards certifying academics.

Process

Reflect on teaching practice and submit a reflective report.

Cost

GBP100 to 200

Benefits

Internationally recognised teaching qualification
Postnominals (letters after your name)

Consideration

Possibly lengthy

Learn more about Advance HE’s UK HEA.

This is a requisite qualification for trainers and assessors working in the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Process

0.5 to 2 years to complete
Successfully complete 9 core units and one elective unit

Cost

Subsidised: approximately A$4910

Benefits

Nationally recognised qualification in Australia
Ability to work as a trainer and/or an assessor in RTOs

Consideration

Reaccreditation needed when units are updated.

Learn more about Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Based on the Carpentries Instructor Training, this bioinformatics-focused course has been widely delivered throughout the EU since 2016.

Process

2 full-days
Online version now developed with 4 half-days of training

Cost

Information not available

Benefit

Opportunities to practise delivery and receive delivery feedback

Consideration

Available to ELIXIR members (no precedence for external provision)

Learn more about ELIXIR-EXCELERATE Train-the-Trainer.

The organisation certifies trainers, centres and training materials and offers train-the-trainer programs.

Process

Admission interview
50 contact hours and 20 hours of self-study and assignments

Cost

Information not available

Benefit

Caters to different career stages with 3 levels of trainer certification

Consideration

Recertification needed every 3 years

Learn more about ICBT Certification.

This program is designed for trainers with some delivery experience and who wish to improve their online delivery.

Process

3 theory masterclasses and 2 practical sessions (all online)

Cost

Information not available

Benefit

Choice between:
- certification (proof of training completion)
- accreditation (demonstrated competence in delivery)

Consideration

Check if the program is recognised in Australia.

Learn more about the Virtual Training Team’s Train-the-Trainer program.

This is a data trainer-specific course designed to help trainers build open data knowledge into their core specialist area.

Process

Involves designing an open data training course
Includes a follow-up mentoring session

Cost

GBP1,470 plus VAT

Benefit

Clarity in assessment and learning outcomes

Considerations

Check if the course is recognised in Australia.
Frequency of course run

Learn more about the Open Data Institute’s Train-the-Trainer program.

This is a teaching course for established professionals transitioning from a practitioner to an educator in their field.

Process

0.5-year full-time study or equivalent
Includes workplace learning and practicum

Cost

A$11,000

Benefits

Pathway to a Graduate Diploma and a Master’s degree
Practical course component

Consideration

Commonwealth supported placement (CSP) is not available for this course.

Learn more about Charles Sturt University’s Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education.

The AITD offers courses ranging from short professional development courses and mentoring programs to bespoke courses.

Process

Short courses: one-day in-person courses in CBD locations across Australia

Cost

Information not available

Benefits

Multiple entry points for interested parties
Digital badging offered

Consideration

Contact the AITD for online and hybrid delivery options

Learn more about the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD).

The AIM offers a range of courses including micro-credentials and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116).

Process

Short courses: one to 2 days
Mini MBA: 20 hours of online study, a 2-day in-person workshop and 2 short course electives

Cost

One-day course: A$716
Mini MBA: A$4,000

Benefits

Multiple campuses Australia-wide
Choice of course electives for mini MBA

Consideration

Private, Australian-based company

Learn more about the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

A range of training courses can also be found on LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and edX.

Next Step

For more information, read our full Digital Research Skills Trainer Certification Guide.

ARDC Ltd. (2023). Digital Research Skills Trainer Certification Guide.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7587667

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Digital Research Skills Trainer Certification Guide

Who Is This Guide For?

Why Should I Consider Certification?

Validation

Findability

Future pathways

Shared frame of reference

How Are Certificates Awarded?

Competence

Membership

Internship or apprenticeship

Achievement

Certification Considerations

Flexibility

Portability

Currency

Recognition

Shelf life

Endorsement

Artefact

Duration

Assessment

Cost

Theory or practice?

At a Glance: 10 Trainer Courses

The Carpentries Instructor Certification

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

Advance HE’s UK HEA

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

ELIXIR-EXCELERATE Train-the-Trainer

Process

Cost

Benefit

Consideration

ICBT Certification

Process

Cost

Benefit

Consideration

Virtual Training Team’s Train-the-Trainer program

Process

Cost

Benefit

Consideration

Open Data Institute’s Train-the-Trainer program

Process

Cost

Benefit

Considerations

Charles Sturt University’s Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD)

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

Australian Institute of Management (AIM)

Process

Cost

Benefits

Consideration

Next Step

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