This is a collective place for some research that I’ve done for New Education that seems to require it’s own page to share.

Research for New Education

Epixtome 14:05, 3 November 2011 (MDT) Another update to information gathering. After understanding that the schools offer the exams that CompTIA creates, my new direction was to ask the school what their criteria is for accepting material. I spoke with someone at CTE solutions in Ottawa, Canada. I was told:
3:11:02 PM: Christopher: I’m looking at starting an organization that produces exams for entry level positions in many fields and would like to know what are your requirements to accept these exams. For more information, I would be comparable to CompTIA but would service more than just the Information Technology professions.
3:13:07 PM: Call accepted by operator CTE Live Support. Currently in room: Christopher, CTE Live Support.
3:13:53 PM: CTE Live Support: Hi Christopher, our exams are actually written through Prometric, so you would have to contact them on their standards.
3:14:18 PM: Christopher: Thank you.
3:14:32 PM: CTE Live Support: 1-800-775-3926 is their phone number
3:14:38 PM: CTE Live Support: prometric.com
I then got a hold of Prometric via the toll free number and got bounced around a lot. Finally making it to one woman who told me that if I was looking at creating material that Prometric would then aggregate to the school on their list, I would be considered a client of Prometric. I was transferred to reception where the phone range 15+ times and I got bored.
It’s getting to the point where depending on what avenue I want to take in this whole project, there are players that service any number of middlemen. Schools, accreditation, exam aggregation, exam creators. The truth is that I don’t want to create the exam, give it, offer courses or be responcible for having them aggregated; What I want is to envision the system where all these exams exist in a granular web and for it to exist.
Since I don’t have the know how on the exam material, I would need to get some other body to create it. To have it accepted by a school it could then be given to prometric. In this case, I don’t see myself doing much real work other than organizing the whole transfer etc, which is what I enjoy anyways.

Epixtome 12:41, 3 November 2011 (MDT) So I had also contacted the Ministry of Education of Ontario in regards to collecting information on accreditation and was called back by a representative. Unfortunately there is no log of proof but here is what I was given. The Ministry will register a post secondary education provider, a college for example but they are not responsible for accrediting the organization or material.
I asked about CompTIA and was informed that they are not registered with the Ministry in Ontario. I was also told that in the event that I wanted to register I would have to go through the Ministry but it is a third party that accredited my material, or rather, certifies that the courses/exams are up to snuff. In order to be able to “legally” provide certification that is recognized by the Government in Canada, I need to register with the Ministry.
What this is telling me is that CompTIA was the creator of the content for their 10+ exams however they offer no exams or courses etc. This means that all they did was create the content, like a product, and “sold” it to accredited schools to issue the exams. Following this information, I could for example create an organization that is responsible for creating the material that would then be brought to a schools attention where they would accept to offer the exams.
More to come..

Epixtome 09:14, 3 November 2011 (MDT) To protect the person I spoke with I will not reveal his/her name. Here is a convorsation I had with someone at the AAAC (The Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada).
Me: My name is Christopher Doiron. I’m looking to gather some information on the process in which would allow me to create an accredited training program. As of yet I have no training material, or even a subject but I’d appreciate any information you can give. If you have any questions feel free to contact me any time. Thank you.
Person: Hello Chris. Thanks for writing. It would be helpful if you could provide me with a bit more information since I am not clear on what you wish to do. Are you initiating a post-secondary professional program or does the program exist and are you asking how it gets accredited. Regards
Me: Thanks for the quick reply. I would like to initiate a post-secondary professional program. Similar to CompTIA and their Information Technology exams (IE: CompTIA A+), I would like to create exams that act as entry level standards, but for a larger variety of professions.
There are thousands of entry level positions out there in Canada and most of them require “related” studies from college and university. I’m interested in creating training content and exams that employers will recognize as their industry standard for entry level positions.
The issue that I’m attempting to correct is the catch 22 where by a person is not able to get a job without previous experience but is unable to get in to the job to gain the experience. With material that people could self teach and more affordable training programs, these people could simply pay for the exam from an accredited trainer (possible my new organization), they would have a certificate proving their competency allowing them to be considered for the job.
The issue I’m facing is knowing what is required to have my material accredited. I’m assuming it must be looked over by some agency who has the authority to decide whether or not the material is adequate but I do not know who this is.
Thank you for your time and I appreciate your help! Have a nice evening.
Person: Hi Chris
Now I understand where you are coming from.
Each profession has its own accrediting body – that is what AAAC is all about . . . a network of accreditors. If you look at the membership application form on the website you will see the process on the second page, defining all of the elements.
Frankly I am not certain were to suggest that you go with your idea – and you do have a point in that it is a Catch 22. Perhaps you should pick one specific industry and then approach their trade association with your concept. There are a number in Ottawa so that would make it easier. The Automotive Industries Association for one.
Sorry that I cannot be of more assistance.
Best regards