Technical author : Training

Technical authors can gain formal qualifications by undertaking courses at educational institutions.

The University of Portsmouth offers an MA in Technical Communication which is a full-time or part-time course lasting one or two years. The entry requirements are a good honours degree in any discipline. Applicants who are practising technical writers will also be considered.

Sheffield Hallam University offers an MA/PgDip/PgCert in Technical Communication. This involves distance learning and lasts three years. This course is for experienced technical communicators seeking a qualification in the field or to expand knowledge and skills, or graduates seeking to enter the growing field of technical communication.

The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) offers an open learning course in communication of technical information. The qualification is offered in two parts: technical communication techniques and technical authorship.

Cherryleaf offers self-study and classroom training courses in developing technical documents, business communication and copywriting.

Armada offers Autodesk training courses, technical author training courses at introductory and advanced levels, e-learning training and print and design training.

Eston Training offers a course in technical/commercial writing and communicating.

Further details of all approved training courses can be obtained from the ISTC. Larger employers may offer their own in-house training and use internet training courses.

Technical authors may also train by attending conferences organised by professional associations and increase their knowledge by reading technical magazines and literature.