Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Q1: What are the benefits of this system for trainers? For example, I have been a trainer since 2014; I still pay the same fees, continue delivering trainings, and earn new credentials. Will my experience be considered, or will I be measured against other trainers?
A1: Maintaining your certification requires more than just paying fees; you must also submit CPD to demonstrate continuous professional development. Previously, maintaining only one certification was enough, but this created inconsistencies in trainer expertise. If you want to teach multiple courses, you must keep all corresponding certifications to ensure a high-quality learning experience for trainees. Your experience will be considered individually, through course evaluations completed by trainees, not measured against others. The more experience you have, the better practical examples you will give while delivering the training.
Q2: What is PECB’s commitment to offering training materials in different languages?
A2: As PECB expands, so does the demand for courses in multiple languages. While all courses are originally developed in English, we translate selected ones into languages like French, Spanish, and German. The decision to translate a course depends on demand, financial feasibility, and the availability of qualified resources. We prioritize translations based on market needs and the number of training clients requesting them.
Q3: As Partners, we organize the training and select the trainers, yet they receive all the credit. What benefits do we gain?
A3: PECB offers a Partnership Level Scheme, which rewards partners based on the number of courses they organize. The more courses you facilitate, the more credits and benefits you receive. This program has been in place for several years to support and recognize partner’s contributions.
Q4: Can we see a trainer’s level when organizing a training? If a trainer is Titanium for ISO/IEC 27001 but teaches NIST, does that mean he is also Titanium for NIST?
A4: This will be available in the upcoming months and directly linked to the trainer profile. However, the level applies to the trainer as a whole, not to specific courses. PECB ensures that trainers are eligible and competent to teach the courses. If a Titanium-level trainer teaches other courses, we verify that they meet the competency requirements for those courses.
Q5: I have completed the ISO/IEC 27001 training three times, including BETA testing, and understand the subject well. However, I have not worked in security, so I have not applied as a trainer. How can I qualify as a trainer for ISO/IEC 27001?
A5: To qualify as a trainer for ISO/IEC 27001, you need relevant experience, such as implementing, auditing, consulting, or managing an ISMS. In addition, with the recent requirements, you also need experience specifically with the standard.
Q6: Why is the number of training days a requirement for reaching a higher trainer level?
A6: The number of training days helps distinguish active trainers from inactive ones. However, being an active trainer alone is insufficient; trainers must also meet the rating criteria. A trainer can conduct frequent courses, but if their ratings do not meet the required level, they will not progress. Our goal is to assess trainers based on their activity levels and ratings.
Q7: I have been a trainer for 20 years but have no direct experience with AI. However, I have studied the subject and can deliver AI training effectively. How can I become a certified AI trainer?
A7: For new standards and emerging fields like AI, we consider related experience. If you have worked in machine learning, AI, or similar fields, that experience may be accepted as equivalent. A similar approach was used when introducing the Anti-Bribery training, where Forensic Accounting was considered a related field.
Q8: Trainer ratings can be affected by market differences. Sometimes, low ratings result from external factors, not the trainer’s skills. How do you ensure fairness in rating evaluations?
A8: PECB will employ the median rating instead of the average because a few extreme ratings or unfair negative feedback can throw off the average. This way, we ensure trainers are evaluated fairly based on their performance. Sometimes, a trainee might leave a bad review for reasons that have nothing to do with the trainer’s skills, and we do not want those to impact the rating. We chose the median because it helps keep things balanced. The rating system is designed to focus on what matters—how well a trainer delivers the course, explains concepts, and engages with trainees—while ensuring different markets do not unfairly affect the results.
Q9: Most of my training is conducted outside ISO standards through in-house programs and PECB Skills. Do these training days count, and do they need to be conducted in a physical classroom?
A9: For instructor-led courses, we count training days regardless of whether they are conducted in person or online. As PECB Skills expands, we are developing a dedicated rating system for trainers and courses on this platform. Although it is still in the early stages, we closely monitor feedback to refine our evaluation process.
Q10: Which time period will be evaluated?
A10: The year 2024 for the number of days lectured and years 2022, 2023, and 2024 for the rating obtained in at least 10 course evaluations.
Q11: What if I am close to one of the minimums? Will you make exceptions, as you do for the partner-level schemes?
A11: Both criteria need to be met; exceptions have been reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Q12: What if I do not have 10 evaluations? Will you make exceptions?
A12: Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Q13: What are the requirements to be considered for a Titanium level trainer?
A13: Trainers receive the Titanium level by invitation. Titanium trainers need to have been working with PECB for several years, exhibiting the role of an ambassador, have at least one senior-level certificate, and have consistently proven to be high-quality and active trainers.
Q14: What is the Trainer Enhancement Committee?
A14: Trainer Enhancement Committee will consist of some selected trainers who will help us to:
1. Improve the teaching skills of trainers by doing extra courses/videos for trainers
2. Address specific teaching aspects of PECB courses in live or online events
3. Conduct peer evaluation of trainers who do not have a satisfactory rating by coaching or witnessing
Q15: Why are you making these changes?
A15: The reasons for the different changes are listed in the brochure.
Q16: Where can we see the families of standards?
A16: This will be communicated separately. You have an example in the brochure.