COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- HDI, the professional association for technical service and support professionals and certification body for the industry, announces the introduction of the HDI Continuing Certification program.

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HDI certifications are globally recognized standards verifying that technical support professionals have demonstrated the expected skills and knowledge for specific roles. To uphold the value that HDI certifications provide in this rapidly changing industry, HDI is introducing the HDI Continuing Certification program, a new set of requirements and process for maintaining HDI certification.

Similar to other certification programs, HDI acknowledges the need for individuals to stay current in the industry and to continue to learn throughout their careers. HDI-certified professionals holding HDI Support Center Director, HDI Support Center Manager, HDI Desktop Support Manager, or HDI Support Center Team Lead credentials will be required to submit documentation of their industry-related learning activities to maintain their HDI certifications. These learning activities will be assigned Professional Development Units, with one (1) PDU equal to an hour (1) of learning. The certifications listed above are valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three years by earning 60 PDUs.

"It is extremely important for professionals in leadership positions to continue their personal professional development.  As best practices evolve and new technologies are introduced, it is the management team that is responsible for enhancing services, improving efficiency, and increasing the value of the support organization," says Rick Joslin, HDI's executive director of certification and training. "When a leader represents themselves as HDI-certified, we want to make sure they are committed to service excellence through self-improvement."

The HDI Customer Service Representative, HDI Support Center Analyst, or the HDI Desktop Support Technician certifications will continue to be recognized as lifetime certifications, as they are considered to be foundational for technical support professional on the front lines.  

To learn more, visit www.ThinkHDI.com/ContinuingCertification or call the HDI Customer Care Center at 800.248.5667.

ABOUT HDI | A UBM Tech company, HDI is the professional association and certification body for the technical service and support industry. Facilitating collaboration and networking, HDI hosts acclaimed conferences and events, produces renowned publications and research, and certifies and trains thousands of professionals each year. HDI also connects solution providers with practitioners through industry partnerships and marketing services.

Guided by an international panel of industry experts and practitioners, HDI serves a community of more than 120,000 technical service and support professionals and is the premier resource for best practices and emerging trends.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, HDI offers training in multiple languages and countries. For more information, visit www.ThinkHDI.com or call +1 719.268.0174. 

ABOUT UBM TECH | UBM Tech is a global media business that provides information, events, training, data services, and marketing solutions for the technology industry. Its media brands and information services inform and inspire decision makers across the entire technology market— engineers and design professionals, software and game developers, solutions providers and integrators, networking and communications executives, and business technology professionals. The company's information products include research, education, training, and data services that accelerate decision making for technology buyers. UBM Tech also offers a full range of marketing services based on its content and technology market expertise, including custom events, content marketing solutions, community development and demand generation programs. UBM Tech is a part of UBM, a global provider of media and information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

Contact: Melanie Adamich
Tel: 719.785.5391
Email: madamich@ThinkHDI.com

SOURCE HDI