CompuServe Messages

Bill <<We realize that a lot of folks get bonafide hands on time using AutoCAD, but I think you have a misunderstanding of WHAT the certification is all about.>> What is it really about? Doesn't it act as a screen to employers for individuals who claim to be be an AutoCAD user? Isn't it being suggested that it serves as part of the mechanism to assist employers in making decisions in promotion from one level to another within a company? <<…careful big fella…PRACTICAL knowledge is a very tough "high bar" to jump. In other words, you're expecting Certification to be a measurement of their "after they've held a job" experience.when in fact the Certification process is really intended to verify that they can perform WHEN they get the job.>> I think you are reading me wrong. I am not saying that certification is " a measurement of their "after they've held a job". If an employer is told that those who have passed the certification exam is a more knowledgeable CAD user, then what's the benefit of having no certificate and years of PRACTICAL knowlege brough on by hands-on experience? A person with years of PRACTICAL experience may not have the certificate for various reasons. Putting the two (student who knows AutoCAD and has the certificate, and the experienced user without the certificate) up for comparison, which one is more qualified? << Early on the stats appear to be proving a stable test, and one that can be used without question (no pun intended) as a tool for certification…We'll be posting those as released by the folks a Drake and approved for release by Autodesk…>> I am not as interested in the verification of it being a "stable test", I am interested in the demographics tracking the results (such as geographic distribution, number of taking, pass/fail rates by section, etc.). This should be readily available data being generated and tracked by Drake and Autodesk. My interests are in the observing trends gleaned from such data. This to me is important in looking at future directions in CAD education and professional staff development in the field of CAD. Without such data, the validity of the process boils down to nothing but a test. NEW QUESTION : How does the test relate to the National Skills Standard for CAD? What links are there in the skills specifications proposed and the ACE?