The CVTA Instructor
Certification Program is dedicated to the memory of Mike Byrnes. Mike was a
founder of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, Inc. and served on
its Board of Directors for four years. He was a tireless advocate for
quality truck driver training and highway safety. The company founded that
he founded, Mike Byrnes & Associates, continues as an active member of the
Association through the participation of his wife, Devorah Fox, and the
company staff.
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association
instructor certification program is a voluntary program that is available to
employees of members in good standing of CVTA.
The purpose of the program is to encourage professionalism among commercial
driver training instructors through continual upgrading of teaching and
technical skills and recognition of instructors' initiatives in improving
skills. The hallmark of the program is flexibility, which allows member
schools to custom tailor skill development to individual instructor/school
needs. The Association encourages all members to consider using all, or the
relevant parts of the program.
The program begins with a suggested
"Instructor Pre-Hire Checklist" that is a list of recommended best practices
for evaluating the technical competence and teaching skills of candidates
for teaching positions. The document is a synthesis of various means of
evaluation that are used by CVTA members.
A second document is the "Instructor
Evaluation Form", which is a comprehensive document for assessing the
performance of instructors. The document is a synthesis of best practices of
CVTA members that will be structures by the CVTA Education Committee. CVTA
encourages member schools to adapt the form to their specific needs, and to
use it as a tool for evaluating training needs.
The core of the certification program is the
completion of vocational instructor modules that have been prepared and
distributed by the American Association for Vocational Instructional
Materials ("AAVIM"). The modules are available for purchase from:
AAVIM
220 Smithsonia Road
Winterville, GA 30683-9527
Phone: 800-228-4689
Email:
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The Instructional
Process:
Understanding the Learning/Teaching Process.
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Training
Effectiveness:
Characteristics
of a Good Instructor and How to Incorporate Them into Your Teaching.
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A-8
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Develop a Course of Study
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D-6
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Evaluate Your Instructional
Effectiveness
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102B
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Develop Student Performance Objectives
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B-3
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Develop a Unit of Instruction
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104B
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Develop a Lesson Plan
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Principles of
Learning:
Understanding How Adults Learn.
Training Based Upon Motivation,
Participation,
Knowledge of Results and Reinforcement.
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Instructional
Techniques:
Use of Instructional Techniques and Aids.
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C-6
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Guide Student Study
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C-5
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Employ Simulation Techniques
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110C
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Introduce a Lesson
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C-7
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Direct Student Laboratory Experience
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111C
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Summarize a Lesson
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C-8
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Direct Students in Applying Problem-Solving Techniques
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112C
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Employ Oral Questioning Techniques
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C-14
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Provide Instruction for Slower and More Capable Learners
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113C
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Employ Reinforcement Techniques
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C-15
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Present and Illustrated Talk
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N-1
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Prepare to
Work with Adult Learners
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C-16
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Demonstrate a Manipulative Skill
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N-4
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Plan
Instruction for Adults
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C-17
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Demonstrate a Concept or Principal
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N-5
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Manage the
Adult Instructional Process
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C-18
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Individualize Instruction
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N-6
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Evaluate the Performance of Adults
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C-19
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Employ the Team Teaching Approach
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N-3
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Determine Individual Training Needs
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C-29
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Present Information with the Chalkboard
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Performance
Objectives:
Determine Desired Results for Specific Learning Experiences.
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Other Important Areas
for the Success of the Students
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D-1
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Establish Student Performance Criteria
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E-5
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Provide for Student Safety
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D-2
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Assess Student Performance Criteria
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E-6
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Provide for the First Aid Needs of Students
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D-3
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Assess Student Performance: Attitudes
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E-7
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Assist Students in Developing Self-Discipline
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104D
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Assess Student Performance: skills
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D-5
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Determine Student Grades
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The modules form the core of competency
building for training instructors. The complete instructor certification
program will require a combined amount of teaching experience of 3600 hours,
as well as the completion of a minimum of 24 training modules. Following
completion of both a specific minimum number of teaching hours, and
self-study and completion of a specific number of modules, instructors may
be certified by CVTA member organizations as eligible to test for different
levels of CVTA instructor certification.
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Certification Level |
Hours
of Teaching Experience |
Number
of Modules |
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Level 1
Instructor |
450
Hours |
3 Modules |
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Level 2
Instructor |
900
Additional Hours |
6
Additional Modules |
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Level 3
Instructor |
900
Additional Hours |
6
Additional Modules |
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Level 4
Instructor |
900
Additional Hours |
6
Additional Modules |
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Master
Instructor |
450
Additional Hours |
3
Additional Modules |
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Once an instructor achieves the certification level of “Master Instructor”
(a total of 3600 hours of teaching experience and completion and passing of
24 modules), he or she must complete and be tested on two additional
modules (to be selected from the balance of the 33 modules) per calendar
year in order to maintain that level of certification.
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Following completion of the required number of hours
of teaching experience, and the required number modules, a CVTA member
organization may certify its instructors as eligible to be tested for
certification as a “CVTA Certified Instructor”. Instructors wishing to test
for the various levels of certification will enter a secure area of the CVTA
website at
www.cvta.org. The
instructor identifies the modules for which he/she intends to test. The
computer then selects, at random, ten (10) questions on each module to
present to the instructor. The specific test questions were developed by
CVTA. The instructor completes the test on-line, and receives a grade upon
completion of the test. There is no charge for the test. A score of 80
percent (80%) will be required to pass the test.
If an instructor desires further
training following achievement of the “Master Instructor” level, CVTA
recommends that member schools consider the training and certification
program offered by the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI)
NATMI is a separate organization offering courses in a wide variety of
areas. NATMI offers a course of study as a “Trainer of Commercial Drivers”.
This course is available to individuals that have a minimum of two years
experience in the training field. Information on these programs is available
at
www.natmi.org. All information relating to
instructor certification tests is maintained on a confidential basis. Access
to this information is available only to the CVTA member organization that
employs the instructor. A database of names, employing organizations and
contact information for all certified instructors will be maintained by the
CVTA office however; the information will not be shared with members (other
than the employer of the instructor).
If a CVTA member organization requests that the accomplishment of its
instructor be recognized, CVTA issues the appropriate level of certificate
of accomplishment and accompanying award. These materials are provided at a
nominal cost to the employing organization.
Instructors that are employed by member organizations that currently utilize
the AAVIM training modules are eligible to test for the various levels of
certification when the employing CVTA member organization certifies that the
instructor has already completed the required number of teaching hours, and
the required number of learning modules. Instructors that have already
completed the requirements must test sequentially (e.g. Level 1, Level 2,
etc.) in order to receive the designation of “Master Instructor”.
