For the companies who employ our certification program graduates, these outcomes include:

Rigorous Course Design Standards

NATMI is guided by the principles of adult learning which require significant student involvement.  This involvement results in greater learning and retention as well as a higher level of confidence in performing the job functions.  Course content comes from technical committees composed of experts from all facets of the industry.  Our information is practical, not theoretical, and comes from real-world experience.

First we define the job responsibilities, skills, and required knowledge of the professionals to be trained.  Then we identify the scope of the course, which is defined using clear performance objectives.  These objectives specify the measurable outcomes of the course; that is, what participants should be able to do back on the job after they have completed the course.  Once a course is operational, we constantly assess how effective it is in contributing to changed behaviors and outcomes on the job.  The materials and presentation are revised as needed/suggested by this feedback.

Our courses minimize lecture and maximize active involvement of the participants to ensure that students remain engaged and retain what is taught.  NATMI training also is designed in the context of the student’s work environment and is “application-oriented”  – through the use of case studies, practice exercises, and projects that result in the student taking a useful product back to their home company.

Experienced, Trained Instructors

NATMI receives numurous requests from industry professionals desiring to be instructors.  We rigorously evaluate the industry experience and credentials of each instructor applicant.  Successful applicants must be subject matter experts, have several years of experience in their field, and have an extensive training background.

Before prospective instructors are permitted to teach for NATMI, they must first attend a comprehensive train-the-trainer course.  During the train-the-trainer program, instructors are evaluated on practice presentations.  They must demonstrate that they not only possess the requisite knowledge, but also can effectively present information and facilitate the student’s learning.  Our instructors are constantly evaluated once they are “on-the-road,” as well.

University Affiliation

NATMI programs are accredited by the University of Denver Transportation and Supply Chain Institute.  NATMI’s university affiliation has been continuous since the program started at Pennsylvania State University in 1944.  University affiliation ensures that an objective, third-party oversees the granting of certified status, thereby minimizing the concerns around conflict of interest.  The University also monitors course development to ensure that the programs meet university-level instructional design standards.

Uncompromising Certification Requirements

The three elements of NATMI certification are education, experience, and expertise.  Taking the required courses – education – is only the first step in attaining certification.  While obtaining continuing education is an important part of professional development, training alone is not a sufficient measure of competency.  We also require 3 – 5 years of experience for all of the NATMI certification designations.  But, we don’t stop there.  To the NATMI Certification Board, your level of knowledge (expertise) and how you have applied it is more important than  how long you have been applying it.

Most certification programs require only the education or the testing element.  Many require both education and experience.  Few require the most important measure of professionalism in NATMI’s view, which is PERFORMANCE.   We, therefore, place the most emphasis on the exhibit or portfolio of professional accomplishments that our certification applicants must submit.  Through the exhibit, candidates demonstrate the continuing education they have received, their level of involvement in industry activities, but most importantly their effectiveness on the job.