Rationale

As stated, the Enform Certified Instructor Diploma (CID) program has been developed to assist in the comprehensive improvement of instructor training. It was designed as an extension of Enform's (Current) Instructor Training Program - presently referred to as the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW); delivered through our NAIT partners. Initially, the CID program was designed for instructors who had previous experience successfully delivering training programs, and had interest in further development of their instructional skills and abilities. The current CID program has been enhanced and can now accommodate varying levels of teaching experience and instructional expertise. The CID course content is designed to add to the participant's repertoire of instructional theory, teaching strategies, learning material development, and instructional delivery, and is based upon current 'best practices' research within contemporary adult learning theory. Created from a rigorous needs assessment of instructor competency and projected instructional requirements, the formalized CID program design addresses a comprehensive scope of instructional requisites and prescribes training competencies for novice to professional instructors.

Overview

Based on Enform's Training Division's operational plan, the Enform Quality Assurance initiative supported an opportunity for the design of the CID program to meet the needs of both Enform and our industry's instructor base. The CID program has therefore been created as a mandatory instructor training program and an integral component of a triangulated Quality Assurance model. This model and its subsequent methodology - comprising of an enhanced student evaluation tool, a course criteria checklist, and an auditor-based instructor evaluation protocol - allows for the assessment of all aspects of course development and delivery, and assists in identifying concerns, issues, and successes of current Enform teaching and learning practices.

The Certified Instructor Diploma (CID) Program ensures the creation and continuation of a qualified and effective instructional force and assists Enform in meeting its obligation of providing excellence within its instructional environments.

It is Enform's view that an effective instructor training program should contain a common core of general education in behavioral, social, and philosophical foundations, and in the theories and principles of instruction, learning, and evaluation. The program should contain adequate foundations in the content and andragogy (Knowles, 1997) of one or more fields of teaching specialization and should address the core competencies of 21st century teaching and learning. Instructor education should be based upon a strategy which provides the analytical tools to explore the underlying assumptions of instructional theory and practice, and which links theory to practice and andragogy (adult learning principles and practice) to field experience.

Further, instructor education should maximize opportunities for instructors to develop and apply knowledge, skills including professional judgment and decision making, and ethics that are relevant to current and future needs of members of the Oil and Gas industry. This preferred instructor education model is based upon professional practice standards determined by the industry and promotes collegial, collaborative, reflective professional relationships, and excellence in instructional practice.

Professional Development

The professional growth of instructors has two aspects. First, the individual instructor must assume responsibility for their own knowledge and competence. Second, Enform must ensure that the collective professional needs of instructors are met.

Additionally, Enform will endeavor to motivate instructors to improve themselves and will ensure that opportunities are provided to achieve that end. Enform must also provide the means for capturing and incorporating instructor influence on the nature of professional development activities. Additionally, Enform should seek the assistance and cooperation of the Oil and Gas industry in both the design of, and in making continuing education programs available to both Enform and industry-associated instructors.

Code of Professional Conduct

Instructors must have an appreciation of their professional obligations, knowledge of the Enform Code of Professional Conduct and a concept of their role in our industry and within society. They should also have extensive knowledge of the activities and objectives of Enform as a professional organization and recognize the ways they can participate and
provide support.  

Commitment to Professional Standards

All applicants for a CID professional certification must declare that they are able and committed to applying the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attributes toward student learning as described by the Enform Instructional Quality Standard (currently under development). They must also commit to effective instructional practice and professional growth in keeping with the standard and the descriptors of quality teaching.

Retention

Enform can have some influence on the retention of career instructors. It should cooperate with industry in promoting policies that encourage instructors to remain in the profession. Careful selection, the provision of opportunities for vertical and horizontal progress in the development of a career, adequate salaries, good working conditions, and improved recognition of the profession by industry will encourage high retention.

Industry Obligation

With the extensive expansion of knowledge and skills required by new curricular concepts, industry has an obligation to assist its Enform instructional staff to keep pace with change. Therefore, it is essential that Enform's industry partners support this initiative and provide the required resources to ensure the success of the CID program.

Instructor Obligation

Instructors are required to participate fully within the Certified Instructor Diploma  (CID) Program and provide supporting documentation when required. They are responsible for the completion of the program and must ensure maintenance Learning Units are acquired and documented (Honor System). All instructors are expected to conduct themselves in relationship to Canadian cultural norms adhering to Canadian law and to the Enform Professional Code of Practice guidelines.

Note: Instructors that do not complete the CID program within allotted timelines will be required to retake the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) (initial certification requirement) and undergo an additional Instructor Audit.

Note: Cost of the CID program is the responsibility of the instructor.

Enform Obligation

Enform's Program Development and Distance Education department is responsible for the management of the Certified Instructor Diploma (CID) Program providing registration and documentation services. Upon registration instructors will be provided with student enrollment confirmation and ongoing communications. The Enform Instructor Support Site will be the primary means of communication and access to the site will be provided.

A Certified Instructor Diploma (CID) Program Oversight Committee has been struck and will adhere to operational guidelines set out by the Training Council and the related Enform Program Development Committee. The primary responsibility of the CID Program Oversight Committee is to provide strategic direction, review instructor competency documentation, and to provide equivalency evaluation when required.

Additionally, upon request instructors enrolled within the program will be provided with a professional profile within the instructor section of the Enform Corporate website.