People spend significant money on training that leads nowhere, and the pattern is consistent enough to be avoidable. What follows applies to assessing us as much as anyone else — if a provider cannot answer these questions clearly, that is information.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- 1What certification does this lead to, and who issues it?
- 2Is the programme aligned to a published competency standard? Which one?
- 3Can I see the performance criteria I will be assessed against?
- 4Who conducts the assessment, and what are their qualifications?
- 5What is the total cost — registration, training, assessment, reassessment?
- 6What happens if I am assessed Not Yet Competent?
- 7Can an employer verify the certificate independently?
Warning signs
- A guarantee of employment — no legitimate provider can promise this
- Certification offered without any assessment
- Fees that are vague, bundled or revealed progressively
- Pressure to pay immediately for a place that is 'about to close'
- No written refund policy
- Reluctance to name the standard the programme is aligned to
Cheapest is not the metric
Training that costs less but produces no verifiable credential is not cheaper — it is a total loss. The relevant comparison is cost against outcome, and the outcome that matters is whether a stranger can confirm your competency without taking your word for it.
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