SDL TRADOS Desktop Technologies, a division of SDL International - the leading provider of global information management (GIM) solutions - announced today the official launch of the SDL TRADOS Certification Program. The program provides full support for the process of achieving the SDL TRADOS Certified qualification with more than 100 Approved Training Centers delivering quality training in multiple languages and locations worldwide.

 Are you www.sdl.com/certified? 

In less than one month following the pre-launch announcement, SDL has received over 2000 registrations of interest and has been contacted by almost every major industry organization for briefing on the program. This tremendous response demonstrates a massive interest in the industry’s first technology-based certification program. SDL has made a substantial investment to bring together all the components needed for a successful certification program, including extensive courseware available online or in print, multiple training options for developing the required skills and online certification testing that supports the progress of the student through different levels up to the achievement of the SDL TRADOS Certified qualification.

Corporate Language Departments and Language Service Providers are very positive, as they welcome a certification program that reduces the amount of time spent pre-qualifying translators on their expertise in translation technology and the practical application of the Create, Cleanse and Maintain (CCM) Methodology.

“SDL TRADOS Certification is a major stepping stone in the evolution of the translation industry and the technology ecosystem,” said Frank Lehmann, Project Manager at Document Service Center, based in Berlin. “Deadlines are tight, acceleration of time-to-market is crucial, and the SDL TRADOS Certification program is designed to support our company and vendors by helping to take pre-qualification on technology expertise out of the equation.”

Professional translators also see this as a positive move, and are excited that the SDL TRADOS Certification program will support them with the right level of training through local Approved Training Centers. “The Approved Training Centers offer the necessary resource to provide high quality training in preparation for SDL TRADOS Certification,” said Steve Desmeules, President of ACCU Translation Services Ltd and Director of Education at ATC. “Translators have long been requesting training that is easily accessible and delivered in local language. The support provided by Approved Training Centers will make translators more successful and allow them to add greater value to their customers.”

Professional translators who become certified will receive their own certified website page to promote themselves, an SDL TRADOS Certified logo as proof of membership, significant discounts on future product purchases and training sessions, and a listing in the Certified Translator’s Directory on www.translationzone.com. 

“Translators have been asking for the right level of training and support for the products we use on a daily basis,” said Iwan Davies MITI, freelance translator. “The SDL TRADOS Certification program is more than just a set of tests to prove that I can work effectively with the most widely used products in the translation supply chain. It is designed to be a continuing professional development tool that allows me to demonstrate a commitment to my work and use my knowledge in translation technology as a key differentiator.”

To find out more and take the SDL TRADOS Placement exam, please visit www.sdl.com/certified. Placement exam, normally carrying a nominal fee, will be offered free of charge throughout the months of May and June. Discounted examinations will be offered at Localization World in Barcelona (www.localizationworld.com) and the LISA Global Strategies Summit in New York (www.lisa.org).