Trainer / Facilitator Competence and Professional Development Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets expectations for the competence and ongoing professional development of individuals who design, facilitate, or support competency demonstration in American Professional School (APS) competency-based education (CBE) professional credential programs. It reinforces APS’s organizational expertise and supports the quality and credibility of the Certified Professional, Master, and Executive Leader pathways.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, contractors, and contributors who:

  • Design or develop learning content, competency frameworks, or demonstration tasks
  • Facilitate learning activities or provide learner guidance
  • Review evidence of competency demonstration or make credential-related judgments

It covers both internal personnel and external subject-matter contributors engaged by APS.

3. Principles

APS expects those involved in design, delivery, and competency demonstration to:

  • Possess relevant professional expertise and experience
  • Understand and apply APS competency standards and demonstration criteria
  • Maintain currency in their professional domain and in adult/professional learning practices
  • Act with professionalism and integrity
  • Participate in feedback and improvement processes

4. Competence Expectations

4.1 Design and Content Development
Individuals who design learning materials or demonstration tasks are expected to have:

  • Substantial professional experience in the relevant domain
  • Ability to translate professional practice into clear competency statements, learning activities, and demonstration criteria
  • Familiarity with competency-based approaches and the needs of experienced professionals

4.2 Facilitation and Learner Support
Individuals who facilitate or support learners are expected to have:

  • Relevant subject-matter knowledge
  • Ability to provide clear guidance and constructive feedback
  • Understanding of APS program structure, expectations, and learner support processes
  • Professional communication skills appropriate for an adult professional audience

4.3 Competency Demonstration
Individuals who review evidence of competency demonstration or contribute to credential decisions are expected to have:

  • Demonstrated expertise in the competencies being demonstrated
  • Ability to apply demonstration criteria consistently and fairly
  • Understanding of academic integrity requirements and APS competency demonstration processes

APS confirms relevant experience and expertise before assigning design, facilitation, or competency demonstration responsibilities. Evidence may include professional background, prior work samples, or references, as appropriate to the role. The Academic Quality Lead confirms competence for design and competency demonstration roles; the Operations Manager confirms competence for facilitation and administrative support roles.

5. Ongoing Professional Development

APS expects individuals involved in design, facilitation, or competency demonstration to maintain and develop their expertise. This may include:

  • Staying current with developments in their professional field
  • Engaging with updates to APS competency frameworks, demonstration practices, or program materials
  • Participating in internal briefings or reviews related to quality and learner feedback
  • Reflecting on their own practice based on outcomes and feedback

APS provides or facilitates access to relevant updates and internal guidance as programs evolve. The Academic Quality Lead oversees academic professional development related to competency-based education, competency demonstration practice, and adult learning. Individuals are responsible for applying current standards in their work.

6. Performance Review and Monitoring

Competence and performance are monitored through:

  • Review of work products (content, feedback, demonstration decisions) for alignment with APS standards
  • Learner feedback related to guidance, clarity, or demonstration experience
  • Periodic check-ins or reviews with the Academic Quality Lead (for design and competency demonstration roles) or the Operations Manager (for facilitation and operational roles), or a designated lead
  • Outcomes of quality assurance reviews and any complaints or appeals that relate to design, facilitation, or competency demonstration

Where performance does not meet expectations, APS will provide feedback and agree on any required improvement actions. Continued assignment of responsibilities depends on meeting the standards of this policy.

7. Responsibilities

  • Academic Quality Lead: Defines and maintains competence criteria for design, content development, and competency demonstration roles; confirms relevant expertise before assignment to those roles; leads performance review and monitoring of instructional and demonstration quality; and oversees academic professional development related to CBE, competency demonstration practice, and adult learning.
  • Operations Manager: Oversees operational assignment of personnel, confirms competence for facilitation and administrative support roles, coordinates contracting and administrative aspects of professional development, and supports overall implementation of this policy.
  • Individuals in design, facilitation, or competency demonstration roles: Maintain the required expertise, follow APS standards, participate in relevant updates, and contribute to continuous improvement.
  • All relevant staff: Raise any concerns about competence or consistency through appropriate internal channels.

8. Related Policies

Instructional personnel must also comply with the Conflicts of Interest and Proprietary Interest Disclosure Policy. This includes promptly disclosing any proprietary interest in products, instruments, devices, or materials used in APS learning events, and ensuring that required disclosures appear in marketing materials and are communicated to learners at the beginning of each learning event.

9. Records

Records of role assignments, relevant experience confirmations, and significant performance or development actions are retained in accordance with the Record-Keeping and Retention Policy.

10. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Academic Quality Lead, with endorsement by the Operations Manager, to ensure it remains practical and effective in supporting the expertise required for APS CBE credential programs. Updates are version-controlled and communicated to relevant personnel.