Just needing to know if there's anybody out there who still believes that it takes talent, skill, knowledge and abilities to do what we do.

Can you think of any other profession where people are allowed to step into the role without any experience/knowledge/ability/skill/talent? Or at least be required to attend specialized training to do the job correctly?

Even the guy at the check-out counter at the grocery store has gone through training to do his job correctly. Why do so many people in this profession continue to devalue it by enabling and allowing those with no experience or knowledge or talent to do the job???

It's also my assertion that those who respect this profession would not expect other professionals to do their work for them or train them how to do it for free.

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Originally posted by StopSpoonFeedingNow:
Just needing to know if there's anybody out there who still believes that it takes talent, skill, knowledge and abilities to do what we do.

It takes talent, skill, knowledge, and ability to do what we do (assume that is Training or Instructional Design or both) well. There are many who do a sufficient job, and there are a few who are exceptional at what they do-- like every other profession. For some this is a learned skill and for others it is a natural ability. There are natural born trainers/instructional designers and there are those that are made through taking classes, on the job mentoring, etc. I also think that some people who are trained in this field are terrible at it.

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Can you think of any other profession where people are allowed to step into the role without any experience/knowledge/ability/skill/talent? Or at least be required to attend specialized training to do the job correctly?

Sure. People are promoted into management/supervisory roles all the time w/o the proper training/skills/etc. Same for numerous other positions in a company. Some people get into accounting w/o any training and work their way up from a clerk to a more responsible and complex role. There are lots of people doing book keeper jobs w/o accounting degrees or course work.

Smart companies help their employees prepare for and excel in their jobs via formal training or at least mentoring.

I guess I disagree with your premise that training is somehow "different" from other positions in companies that get rookies put into them or carve out positions within departments that aren't dedicated to training.

These people do adequate jobs. Could a skilled trainer/designer do a better job? Yes, in many cases.

But, not every company has the time, money, or need to invest in big, formal training programs/staff. It's about getting the job done. That can be accomplished without someone with all these credentials.

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Even the guy at the check-out counter at the grocery store has gone through training to do his job correctly. Why do so many people in this profession continue to devalue it by enabling and allowing those with no experience or knowledge or talent to do the job???

Allowing? As if the trainers run the company.

I think many "professional" trainers/designers forget who signs the paycheck. The business units run the company. It's all about Operations. If we provide value to them, then they will fund us and seek us out. If we do not provide value-- or they perceive they can get adequate value/return with less expense then they will do so.

Honestly, too few trainers have a business focus. It's not all about ADDIE in the business world. Sometimes it's about what you can produce by Friday. That's life. Is it the best training ever? No. Does it get the job done? Yes.

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It's also my assertion that those who respect this profession would not expect other professionals to do their work for them or train them how to do it for free.

I think you've missed the new collaborative generational train. It has left the station.

I recommend Grown Up Digital by Tapscott. The new generation thinks differently than the older generation. The internet generation does expect collabortion, knowledge sharing, and yes for free.

I remember telling a stakeholder (level 2 technical support manager) that it would take 3 months to develop the class he wanted.

His reply was "Well what if I sent an L2 down here to help? Then could I get it sooner?"

My reply was "Sure, and in the future, if your call queue gets overloaded, just let me know and I'll send a content developer up to take some customer calls"

He quickly got the analogy and waited the 3 months for his course ....

My expereince is, in order for a training organization to be percieved as providing value, it needs an executive sponser who "understands" training and it's importance. Otherwise you're always fighting an uphill battle trying to prove worth.

I think this sums up our occupational dilemna:

"Divas do it, golfers do it, pilots do it, violists do it, sprinters do it, soldiers do it, surgeons do it, astronauts do it...only business people think it isn't necessary to train." (Tom Peters)

Yes, solitude...and what makes it so painful is that is happening with people who claim to be professionals in *this* field.