The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) will present a sneak peek into new research about the must-have competencies for workplace learning and development professionals at its 2012 International Conference & Exposition next week in Denver, Colorado. ASTD is the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field.

The research is the foundation for pending changes to the ASTD Competency Model, debuting in early 2013, which will also be discussed at the conference. The ASTD Competency Model defines the competencies required for successful learning professionals and the ways in which those competencies are applied in the workplace. The update is the first major revision to the competency model since 2004.

“This is a time of unprecedented change and transformation in the learning and development profession,” says Jennifer Naughton, ASTD senior director. “The learning professional’s role continues to expand from deliverer of training to a facilitator of learning, content curator, information manager, and builder of learning communities. The model will reflect that.” Practitioners can prepare for the future faster by aligning their own career development plans with it.

At the ASTD 2012 conference Naughton says the association will also sponsor a “competency model creation” contest to encourage attendees to interact with the content. Conference attendees will be encouraged to design their own representation of the new competency model and will have the chance to win a Kindle Fire. The contest is not limited to conference attendees; details can be found here.

More information about the ASTD Competency Model can be found at www.astd.org/model. For information on the ASTD 2012 International Conference & Exposition, visit the conference website www.astdconference.org.