THE DILEMMA OF MEASURING TRAINING AND LEARNING

Over the past 10 years, we surveyed thousands of training professionals on how they measure competencies and performance. What we found is alarming. More than 85% are having significant problems evaluating the outcome of training and development projects. Most track course enrollments, course completions, and satisfaction levels. They really want to measure competency increase, performance improvement, and impact on the business. This gap between desire and reality shows that the measurement methods from yesterday (Kirkpatrick model and ROI) show only part of the picture. They are time-consuming and expensive. That’s why most training managers prefer to skip them if possible.

TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH

There is a paradigm shift happening in the training/learning and development industry. Trainers, coaches, and course developers are in a constant state of flux – continually adapting and changing as technologies, companies’ and learners’ needs, and new best practices and quality standards evolve. Many organizations are now exploring new approaches that include artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality, machine learning, technology-supported learner-driven methods, and personalized data analytics. At the forefront of these dramatic changes is the Competency Performance System™. the next step in the continuous improvement of the Value of Investment System (VOI).

THE CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (CEU)

The Continuing Education Unit or CEU was created and defined in 1970 after IACET and the U.S. Department of Education task force studied the measurement of non-credit continuing education activities. The CEU standard of measurement is 1 CEU = 10 contact hours of participation in an organized CE/T experience, delivered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. The term “CEU” is in the public domain. Many organizations widely use it for their continuing education or professional training hours. But not all Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are created equal. Our research shows that the traditional CEU does not work as a functional measuring unit for competency-based training and learning because it is based on an outdated concept.

THE COMPETENCY PERFORMANCE UNIT (CPU)™

Competency-based training and learning cannot be measured in contact hours. It needs a completely different measurement approach. That’s why we developed the Competency Performance Unit (CPU). Competency is the balanced mix of knowledge, attitudes, and skills. A Competency Performance Unit (CPU) is the application of that knowledge, attitudes, and skills in the workplace, based on standards of performance. A CPU is the smallest unit that can be assessed and measured. Competency and performance standards define the knowledge, attitudes, and skills that contribute to the desired business results. Performance criteria specify the required level of performance and show the extent of competency needed to effectively perform in the workplace.

A CPU is the specification of a competency, based on a description of knowledge, attitudes, and skills within a competency standard. It defines behavior indicators, performance criteria, and outcomes. AATD wants to empower universities, training institutes, training departments, and corporate universities to officially recognize individuals for demonstrated competencies and performance improvement. CPUs serve educational providers to qualify and quantify a variety of training and development activities in adult education. This specialized and standardized unit represents learning in an organized, controlled, and competency-based training, learning, or developmental activity.

CPUs can be earned through:

• Competency-based training
• Online simulation programs
• Performance-based testing

THE FUNCTION OF THE COMPETENCY PERFORMANCE UNIT (CPU)

CPU also stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is part of a computer system that is commonly referred to as the “brain” of a computer. The CPU is also known as the processor or microprocessor, responsible for executing a sequence of stored instructions, called a program.

In competency-based training and learning, the Competency Performance Unit (CPU) is also at the center of all learning and teaching interventions. It provides the standards for the creation, implementation, transfer, and measurement of competency and performance-based learning activity. Each CPU focuses solely on one competency. It gives the trainers, coaches, and performance consultants guidance about designing, testing, delivering, and assessing the learning and performance outcomes. A CPU is also an award – like academic credit – a learner receives after successfully completing a competency/performance-based learning intervention. The amount of CPUs awarded is based on how many competencies the learner mastered in simulations or assessments.

WHO MAINTAINS THE COMPETENCY PERFORMANCE UNIT?

The Accrediting Alliance for Training & Development (AATD) is the keeper and standardizing agent for the CPU. All the rights and the trademark are owned by ITD International.

Each Accredited CP System Provider has Credentialing Authority and can issue CPU Badges. The United States Online University provides the Certificates and the Accrediting Alliance for Training & Development includes all USOU Certificate Holders in the International Performance Network Registry for verification. purposes. Accredited CP System Providers are responsible for keeping records in accordance with the AATD standards.

BENEFITS OF THE COMPETENCY PERFORMANCE UNIT

• Increased credibility of your institute
• Highly visible commitment to quality
• The measurable benchmark for your clients
• Professional learning acknowledgment for your participants
• Worldwide recognized unit of measure
• Competency-based standards for different learning formats
• Professional documentation of learning experiences

HOW TO BECOME A LICENSED CP SYSTEM PROVIDER

The Accrediting Alliance for Training & Development (AATD.org) in cooperation with the United States Online University (USOU.edu) introduces the Competency Performance System through its worldwide network of licensed CP System Providers. If you want to join the network, please enroll in the program.

THE NEXT STEP IN DIGITAL CREDENTIALING

AATD is in the process of building its own blockchain (a distributed ledger) to optimize the security of the CP System. The current verification system is very secure, but the blockchain makes changing or falsifying CPUs and certificates impossible. All issued Competency Performance Units (CPUs) and certificates will not only be secure but also verifiable by all stakeholders. Blockchain technology will convert the CP System into a globally recognized credentialing system for competency and performance-based lifelong learning.