A lot of CLPs have never taken all, or any, of the authorized classes. Through their diligence and work experience they passed their certification exams. It seems a step backwards (and needlessly expensive) to mandate attending every class before teaching it. So let me take a moment to explain why classes need to be attended and to show that for the ND6 program there will be new options.

Being technically experienced and knowledgeable in Notes doesn't guarantee good presentation skills. Attending the class is the most direct way for instructors to understand how the course is paced, which labs the students will find puzzling, and where the instructors can add their own insights. For new CLIs, it's essential that their course mastery is complete. Walking into a classroom of information technology specialists is enough of a challenge--no instructor deserves the handicap of teaching a course they have never seen.

For experienced CLIs, Lotus Education will be offering alternative requirements to replace course attendance. If a career CLI has taught introductory application design since R4, then it's understood that they probably don't need to sit through another entry level course. What the requirements will be for each class will be decided on a course-by-course basis. Some courses may have an extra exam just for CLIs, others may allow the instructor to bypass course attendance if they're already widely certified in all the other courses in the same track. Of course, CLIs will always be expected to pass the exams related to a course.

Independent or LAEC CLI?
The last point to consider is whether or not to be an independent or LAEC CLI. Working directly for a LAEC provides the advantages of a regular paycheck, resources, and a controlled setup for the classroom. Independents spend more time traveling, suffer more ups and downs in business activity, and must foot their own bill for becoming PartnerWorld members. In effect, independent CLIs are recognized first as IBM/Lotus business partners, who happen to be certified as CLIs.

The truth is, you probably already have a sense of which side you prefer. Independents would be hard pressed to find a home in an LAEC. They enjoy the freedom to set their own schedule and be their own boss. LAEC CLIs relish building a complete program, working with repeat customers, and having the resources of a larger business.

So, why become a CLI?
Is it the money that attracts IT talent into training? Rates and salaries vary quite a bit by region, but there are some generalizations. In the United States, the usual rates for independents is somewhere between six and eight hundred dollars a day (plus travel expenses). This would be for the standard CLP classes. Rates can go up for specialized courses that require someone with deep knowledge of the product (e.g., Domino.Doc, LearningSpace, or Lotus Enterprise Integrator). And, they go down for the end-user classes, which do not require instructor certification.

LAEC instructors range from the mid-fifties to six figures. The reason for this wide span is that some LAEC CLIs only teach a small set of classes and others run the whole agenda. For both independents and LAEC CLIs, many integrate their teaching with consulting. However, it is considered poor business practice to shill for consulting during class instruction. Most LAECs will not ask an independent to return if the CLI has been cultivating the class for customers.