NZ Writing Courses - Editing, Proofreading and
Technical Writing (Discussion - Various Contributors)
Sign up for the Writerfind Newsletter.
-------------------------------------------------------
Barbara Jouvernaux wrote:
<<I would like a career in editing / proofreading and I would like to study towards
a qualification which is going to get me on this career path. >>
...and Jodie Rush wrote:
<<While working in a software product development team, I fell into technical
writing one day when asked to produce a user guide for a module of the in-house software.
Now 6 years later, I am still technical writing but have come to a cross-roads and need
some advice... [A]re there professional technical writing courses out there somewhere?
What are employers looking for these days with regards to technical writing skills and
qualifications? >>
Here are the very helpful responses we have since received from readers of this
newsletter:
**Tony Murrow - a reply to Barbara Jouvernaux (editing courses):
<<I work in the book publishing industry in New Zealand, so perhaps my comments are
relevant just to that small part of the publishing industry here.
There is a year-long course for entrant book publishing workers that has editing as its
main area of focus: Whitireia Publishing. They are based in Porirua, but also have a
branch in Auckland (I teach a small part of the course, but not the editing component).
There's no web site, but I could email you the snail mail and other details if you
are interested.
Also, the Local Publishers Forum [LPF] < http://www.lpf.org.nz
> holds seminars and workshops for book publishing workers and wannabe workers every
month or so, not necessarily on editing though. The fees for such courses range from $10
(for a two-hour forum/discussion) to around $50 for a half day seminar ... very cheap
(it's a non-profit cooperative organisation). LPF is based in Auckland, but 'roadshows'
some seminars with the help of BPANZ or other local editing groups. Again, I'm involved in
this organisation (technical support). It's got strong associations with the Society of
Authors and works very hard for everyone involved in the book industry here.
Finally, a Wellington-based editor, Ray Prebble, does quite good basic, intermediate and
advanced courses on structural and copy editing. I don't have contact details for him, but
seem to remember he was working out of the Centre for Continuing Education at Victoria
University. Ray's great ... used to be the chief copy editor at the Dictionary of New
Zealand Biography and is manic about style sheets.
Hope this helps some,
Tony Murrow>>
**A Melbourne Career Counsellor - a reply to Barbara Jouvernaux (editing
courses):
<<Your husband did the right thing. He checked the market place. Your decision is
whether you want job skills or an education. There is a tension between these two
objectives. University degrees aren't only pretty. They teach us to think, question ,
interpret ,evaluate, understand. In other words develop our capacity to be full and
thoughtful human beings. However it is not the only way. If you want training for a job,
check the industry requirements as your husband did. It could help you to do an assessment
of your current skills and to clarify the skills you need to learn and develop. Then find
out where you can learn them. Speak to publishers, newspapers, editors, proofreaders,
societies and institutions. Ask them what they are looking for. Find out how jobs are
distributed in these worlds.In other words research, research, research. Also get started
now. Start editing and proofreading for local newsletters, publications etc as a
volunteer. Do a short course in writing, editing, proofreading. Think about your other
skills too .e.g. do you have medical knowledge which could make you attractive to medical
publishers, computer skills that would make you attractive to proofreading computer
manuals?? It is a life task to develop a career and I wish you well. Melbourne Career
Counsellor.>>
Comments? Please email us and they will be posted to the next issue of this newsletter.
** Beverley Stevens - a reply to Jodie Rush (tech writing courses):
<< My recommendation to anyone with on-the-job technical writing and documenting
experience who wishes to up their skills and value in the marketplace, as well as gain a
recognised certification, is to do the 3-day Information Mapping course on writing and
structuring manuals. The course is called 'Mapping Documentation For Online & Paper
(MDOP) ' For more information, contact Tactics on 0800 50 50 56 or email
tactics@tactics.co.nz
Many NZ and US employers of contract and permanent technical writers ask for Information
Mapping experience.
When selecting technical writers myself, I look for analytical ability, evidence of
excellent written English, a high degree of competence with software packages (MS Word as
the core one) and comfortable learning new ones through self teaching. A degree (any
degree) can be a useful indication of analytical skills and language ability, but is not
essential.
For links to information about technical writing courses at NZ polytechnics, go to the NZ
Technical Writer's Association site www.nztechwriters.co.nz Select Resources, then
Courses.
Both Unitec and Christchurch Polytechnic courses include components on online
documentation. Unitec has a Certificate in Technical Writing which is a subset of the
Bachelor of International Communication. Or you might want to enquire about taking
specific modules rather than the entire degree/diploma/certificate.
Thanks and regards,
Beverley Stevens
Documents by Design (NZ) Ltd
Ph 64 9 630 9416
Fax 64 9 630 9436
Mobile 025 223 8357
www.writerfind.com/documentsbydesign
>>
**Word Wifery - a reply to Jodie Rush (tech writing courses):
<<There is a course in Professional and Technical Communication which is run by
Christchurch Polytechnic. It is a post-graduate diploma, although I think they accept work
experience as well as actual degrees. All the tutoring takes place using email. >>
**Tim Monck-Mason - a reply to Jodie Rush (tech writing courses):
<<Have a look at the DPTC web site...I did this full time last year and am now
finishing my internship - it has been a very good course, not without any problems - but
they are improving and responding all the time. Alison Sanders is very helpful...
http://www.chchpoly.ac.nz/online/techwrit/studwelc.htm
Tim Monck-Mason
**Victor Johnson - a reply to Jodie Rush (tech writing courses):
<<Having been directly involved in the field for the past 15 years or so I am
unaware of any formal education within the public sector for technical writing. For this
reason my company is planning to franchise the competency-based method. This will enable
us to train individuals and protect intellectual property and copyright.
The qualifications for the technical writing vocation are derived from within industries.
Technical writing evolved from within industries off-shore for development of the
competency-based training method and the requirement for written instruction documents.
The documents are highly structured for learner readability with elements for
self-evaluation, on-job training and performance qualification.
There are technical writing standards that apply successful use of documents by readers.
For example, organisations contemplating SO9000 Standards series certification will find
the journey rewarding if documents are technically written for on-job training and
reference purposes.
The competency-based method as espoused by the New Zealand qualifications Authority is a
curriculum-based performance system, not the competency-based training method as applied
within industries.
I know of few New Zealand organisations that have a competency-based training method with
documents technically written. Therefore there are no Technical Writer courses within that
arena.
The system is expensive to put in place due to the process and procedure analysis combined
with time spent in technical writing that can be measured in hours per page.
Some have plagiarized and copied our per verbatim claiming that it is public domain. This
is not the case.
Victor Johnson
Managing Director
Premier Organisational Training & Development Consultants Ltd
PO Box 20 357
Te Rapa
Hamilton
07 849 9982
025 2772790
http://macronetwork.bizland.com
>>
**On the other hand...
Maybe writers just either "have it" or they don’t. At least this is what
Lori Williams is suggesting here:
<<I don't have a degree in anything having to do with writing, yet it is my
aspiration as well. I truly don't think you need one. Writers either "have it"
or they don't. Someone with a Master's may not be able to write one interesting or
creative paragraph , yet your local auto mechanic may be able to write the most tender and
heartfelt poetry you've ever read. Just my opinion. Not that an education can do you wrong
on the mechanics side of writing, but I think it comes from the heart, rather than
education. >>
Comments? Please email us and they will be posted to the next issue of this newsletter.
=========================
Nicole Bishop is the publisher of "Writerfind News", an ezine for professional
writers and publishers which focuses on the internet. Subscribe at http://www.writerfind.com/
=========================
