Want to create great trainings?
Learn how CDC’s Quality Training Standards can help you.
By the end of this short video, you should be able to explain the purpose of CDC’s
Quality Training Standards, describe each standard, and identify where you can find
more information.
The purpose of the standards is to improve the quality of trainings developed by CDC.
But they can be used by anyone to develop quality training.
These 8 standards are grounded in education science and support learning transfer.
We want people to learn and apply what they learned.
These standards can help make trainings more effective by setting a benchmark for quality
training development.
The standards are broad enough for any type of training, which means any format, audience
or topic.
The standards can be used by anyone involved in the training process, whether you are developing
training, delivering training, or purchasing training.
The standards can help you ensure quality.
Let’s talk about why the standards are needed.
It’s hard to find time to take training during a busy workday.
With such limited time, training should be a good use of learners’ time.
We want to be efficient with resources and ensure good value for training funds.
We want to support public health partners in the shared goal of improving training quality
for the public health workforce.
Now, let’s take a look at the standards.
Number 1.
Training needs assessment informs training development.
A needs assessment involves gathering information to help decide what is needed.
For example, a needs assessment can tell you about your learners, what they need to learn,
what trainings already exist, and the best way to deliver the training to the learners.
Number 2.
Training includes learning objectives.
Quality trainings must have smart, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
learning objectives to guide your training development.
They make clear what the learner should be able to do at the end of the training and
set the stage for training content and evaluation.
Number 3.
Training content is accurate and relevant.
Quality training content must meet the needs of the learners, be reviewed by a subject
matter expert, and be kept up to date.
Number 4.
Training includes opportunities for learner engagement.
The science of learning shows that engaging the learner is key for learning transfer.
Design interactive and engaging training content for learners through activities such as knowledge
checks, case studies, or question and answer sessions.
Number 5.
Training is designed for usability and accessibility.
All training, no matter the format, should be accessible to all learners, including learners
who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have other accessibility needs.
Pay attention to tone, language, media quality, and organization.
Number 6.
Training evaluation informs improvement.
Quality training is constantly improving and using data from learners to inform this improvement.
Develop a training evaluation plan to guide evaluation efforts and gather feedback from
learners.
Number 7.
Training includes an opportunity for learner assessment.
Learner assessment and immediate feedback during the training helps reinforce learning.
Learner assessment can also provide evaluation data and let you know if learning occurred.
And number 8.
Training includes follow-up support for the learner.
Quality trainings include tools to support ongoing learning after the training has been
completed because training alone is not enough to ensure learning transfer.
Support can include tip sheets, additional resources, reminder emails, and coaching.
For a training to be a CDC Quality Training, it must meet all 8 standards.
The CDC Quality Training Standards were designed for use during the training development process.
Consult the CDC Quality Standards Training Developer Checklist to walk through each standard
while developing your training.
Visit cdc.gov/trainingdevelopment to access more information on how to design and develop
trainings for your organization.
Share the CDC Quality Training Standards with anyone involved in the training process.
By using and sharing these standards, you can help raise the bar for public health training
quality.