The working group was established in November 2012 to address the Foundation's involvement in training standards. They are drafting a proposal for a new "OpenStack Training" licensing and co-marketing program to replace the current "Built for OpenStack" program for training businesses. The biggest unresolved issue is whether certifications should be part of this program and how to implement them, which will be discussed at the upcoming board meeting.

2. Working Group Background
‣ Board established working group in November 2012 meeting
‣ http://wiki.openstack.org/Governance/Foundation/02Nov2012BoardMinutes
“Mr. Goode led a discussion of the Foundation’s involvement in
standards for training. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, the
discussion was limited to the formation of a working group to
address the issue. The Board agreed to the formation of a
working group led by Mr. Collier. The working group will create
a proposal on the Board’s involvement in standards for
training and present to the Board at a later date.”

3. January 31s, 2013 Board Update
‣ The working group is drafting a proposal for the
Board’s review. To ensure the proposal is consistent
with the Board’s goals, the framework will be
discussed at the February 12th face-to-face Board
Meeting in San Francisco.
‣ General Direction: Create a new “OpenStack Training” licensing & co-
marketing program for training businesses, to supersede the current “Built for
OpenStack” program in the training context
‣ Biggest unanswered question is whether or not “certifications” should be part
of the scope of the new program, and if so, how to implement. Board input
needed.

4. New Licensing Program Approach
Program Goals & Approach
‣ Generate awareness of the many OpenStack Training options in the
ecosystem by creating a targeted co-marketing/licensing program
‣ Empower 3rd parties to promote OpenStack and spread OpenStack
knowledge globally by licensing the marks for their use, and by making the
program as frictionless as possible.
‣ Protect the OpenStack Brand by implementing quality control measures
Proposed Approach to Quality Control (under discussion)
1.Require courses cover certain key topics/messages
2.Foundation administered post-training student surveys
3.Testing for trainers employed by the licensees (still being debated)

5. Biggest Challenge: Certification / Credentials
Market Dynamics & Opportunity
•There is market demand for “Certification” or “Credential” programs
•Analysts have told us a certification program would accelerate adoption
•Rackspace has launched “Rackspace Certified Technician for OpenStack”
offering under the “Built for OpenStack” license
Complications
•The “Built for OpenStack” program was not optimized for this use case
•If the market is flooded with many “certifications for OpenStack”, the meaning
may be lost and the OpenStack brand may be tarnished
•If the new “OpenStack Training” licensing program covers “Certified” offerings,
creating standards will be challenging and likely require a large resource
commitment from the Foundation.
•The word “Certified” has special meaning in the trademark world

6. Biggest Challenge: Certification / Credentials
Market Dynamics & Opportunity
•There is market demand for “Certification” or “Credential” programs
•Analysts have told us a certification program would accelerate adoption
•Rackspace has launched “Rackspace Certified Technician for OpenStack”
offering under the “Built for OpenStack” license
Complications
•The “Built for OpenStack” program was not optimized for this use case
•If the market is flooded with many “certifications for OpenStack”, the meaning
may be lost and the OpenStack brand may be tarnished
•If the new “OpenStack Training” licensing program covers “Certified” offerings,
creating standards will be challenging and likely require a large resource
commitment from the Foundation.
•The word “Certified” has special meaning in the trademark world