Justin over at SwiftSilentDeadly.com recently posted about the importance of issuing certificates at the end of a class. As usual, Justin has a good take on the matter. I can only hope that the class he took with me is not one that had the weird-sized PDFs that he had to doctor.
That said, while I have always liked getting a certificate, I prefer to have it emailed or mailed. This prevents me from having to protect the cert while driving or flying home. It also keeps carbon-covered hands from leaving smudges on the paper. I’m curious to hear from you guys on this issue. Do you care when or how you get a certificate? What do you do with your certs at home? As much as I like getting them, all of mine are in a filing cabinet and have never seen the light of day. If I ever had to write a detailed CV, I suppose I might look some of them up, but that seems pretty unlikely to me. What about you guys?
I’ve have them emailed and I’ve actually had them handed out in a envelope
Envelope might be worth looking into for me, thanks. Simple is usually better, lol.
Certs used to be a big deal to me and I have quite a collection. Recently I have noticed a trend of classes not having certificates. Reading the link you provided sorta jogged my memory and made me think the reason I haven’t gotten any certificates lately is that with the exception of a trauma medicine class, all of the classes I have taken have been performance shooting based, not application. I would say it doesn’t bother me to not receive one anymore.
I have noticed that too, and though the certs don’t help me, or even get seen again, I think it is a nice thing to do.
I like getting certificates as proof that I’ve received training, so that I can defend my actions or opinions at a later time if needed.
Not every class needs a certificate. Classes that cover novel new concepts for the student should get a certificate (Basic, Advanced, RDS, etc). Other classes that are more skills and drills oriented don’t need one. I only hand out certificates when they are requested, since for most people they are only worth the paper they are printed on.
Yes, certificates are a must. Even for simple carry permit classes I issue certificates with an embossed seal, which students have commented on being more professional than they typically see. As with you, most of my certificates end up in the file cabinet, but they are still important to me. I’ve only framed a couple of certificates, one from Massad Ayoob and one from Tom Givens. Both significant accomplishments which had coins or signed currency included in the frames. I’m okay with mailed certificates, but I certainly prefer a certificate which has real pen and ink signature. I think it is more personal.
Good to know, thank you.
I just need proof I’ve completed the training, and really prefer electronic proof. An email saying thanks for attending/completing, is just as good as a fancy certificate. Really, all the hard copy certificates get scanned in, and saved electronically., rather than storing, and caring for, hard copies. Even an old man, like me, can adjust to the realities of the modern era, and I see no need to have hard copies of everything.
Thank you, that certainly makes it easy. And easier for you to deal with as well.
I like to have some record of training completed. So I like training certificates. It can be useful for some concealed carry licenses that require proof of training with the application. I have a collection of certificates and some are more significant than others. For example, my Gunsite and Thunder Ranch certificates are like souvenirs that remind me of some good times. Other classes, probably not so important to have a certificate. But it does jog my memory of that cIass. I know I use to take copious notes too because of the money I spent for classes. Now not so much. Some thing else to consider is the information on a certificate. I have some with the number of hours of training completed on them. There is a difference between an online class to meet CCW requirements and a weekend course. I know the certificate itself does not really address the quality of the training, but I still like to have one to show I have invested some time and effort in the training.
Makes sense to me, thanks!
I wish they were presented in a standardized, electronic wallet format.
I’m not sure I’m tracking, but it sounds interesting.