Have you ever become frustrated trying to follow a set of instructions? Think of the last time you assembled a piece of furniture, used an unfamiliar software program, or even completed your income tax return.
Every day, business customers, suppliers and employees struggle to make sense of documents like user manuals, service level agreements, or standard operating procedures. And when complicated information involving specialised terminology is not written in the reader's home language, it becomes even more difficult to understand.
A skill that is critically lacking in South Africa is that of the professional technical writer, who can communicate complex information clearly, correctly and concisely.
Growing industry demand has led to the development of Faculty Training Institute's new Diploma in Technical Writing and Communication, which will be offered in both Cape Town and Johannesburg as from March 2008.
This part-time programme comprises 13 full-day seminars held over a 20-week period, and is aimed primarily at people who are already employed in positions that involve technical writing. Key objectives of the diploma are for delegates to improve the efficiency of the writing process and to be able to produce a range of technical communication products. Further seminars address related topics such as authoring tools, document maintenance and control, standards, usability testing, and legal and social considerations.
Most of our local technical writers have acquired their knowledge through experience rather than training. The resulting diversity of abilities and standards can present a problem for employers wanting to engage technical writers. For this reason, the FTI diploma content has been aligned with international curricula, including the ISTC qualification in Communication of Technical Information. The course designer, Jane Nash, has drawn on 20 years' experience in systems development, documentation and training to ensure that the course outcomes are relevant, practical and useful.
Pilot courses are being offered in both Johannesburg and Cape Town at a reduced launch price, aimed at attracting experienced technical writers who would like to complete a formal qualification and who can provide active participation and constructive feedback. Note that this is a once-off opportunity, and places are limited to 12 delegates per course. Applications are also open for subsequent diploma courses, scheduled to start during June/July 2008 in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, at the standard price.
Technical communication is a challenging and rewarding career, which can be practiced within any knowledge area. Demand for skilled technical writers continues to grow, especially in fields such as health, finance, manufacturing, IT and government. For more information about the Diploma in Technical Writing and Communication, visit the FTI Web site at www.fti.co.za or e-mail daiveshni@fti.co.za.
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