ASTD Competency Model

"what learning and development professionals
need to know and do to be successful"

The ASTD Competency Model was derived from an in-depth, comprehensive study of the learning and development profession. The model has been updated, redefining the skills and knowledge required for trainers to be successful now and in the future. It captures changes driven by digital, mobile, and social technology; demographic shifts; globalization; and economic forces.  The Model:

• provides a professional development blueprint for the learning profession
• helps you prepare for the future faster
• identifies skill gaps and ways to close them.

The Model emphasizes:

1. foundational competencies, or those that are important to everyone if the field
2. the specific areas of expertise (AOEs), which are the specialized knowledge and actions required by specific roles

Foundational Competencies

Foundational competencies define the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that are required for job success in most professional occupations.These foundational competencies are categorized as follows:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Personal Skills
• Technology Literacy
• Business Skills
• Global Mindset
• Industry Knowledge

 

Areas of Expertise (AOEs)

Areas of Expertise are the functional competencies that are specific to the training and development profession. ASTD identified ten areas of expertise:

• Performance Improvement
• Instructional Design
• Training Delivery
• Learning Technologies
• Evaluating Learning Impact
• Managing Learning Programs
• Integrated Talent Management
• Coaching
• Knowledge Management
• Change Management