Effective July 1, 2026: Restricted Access to LMS Content for TDA Accounts

Jim Stover 2026-06-25

Effective July 1, 2026, all administrator (TDA) accounts, except the primary TD account will no longer have the ability to access course content in the LMS. This will not affect the ability for TDAs to access the LMS from the TMS via the Login to LMS menu item, however, access will be limited to reporting and the creation and administering of exams.

This change is being implemented to ensure compliance with the licensing agreement between the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) and PTSI, while also protecting etA intellectual property.

Under the terms of this agreement, only authorized Training Directors may access course content purchased by the training location. Because TDA accounts are not included in the licensing agreement, etA must implement this change to remain in compliance with its contractual obligations. Therefore, TDA accounts will no longer be able to view or interact with LMS course materials.

After the July 1 effective date, any user with a TDA role that also needs to access course content in the instructor role will be required to be rostered, enrolled and granted access via an instructor account.

New Features – Print and Custom Exams are Coming to TPP

Jim Stover 2026-06-18

On July 1, 2026, we will be introducing two new features to augment TPP, the ability to print exam and create custom multi-topic test. These features will be available as a cost added option to any existing tier for $200/year.

Print Exams – With an important caveat, TLs will have the ability to generate 3 pdf versions (with answer keys), of an exam. What’s the caveat? Due to the limited nature of printed exam, advanced question types cannot be replicated and may preclude certain exams from being available in print (Construction Drawings, for example).

Custom (Multi-topic) Exams – TD/TDAs  will have the ability to create custom multi-topic (drawing from up to 12 courses) for use at the local training center. All other TPP features (such as the LockDown Browser) remain the same.

We realize that not every JATC/AJATC will find a use for these new features, which is why we are providing them as a “plus” option for training centers that desire them.

Stay tuned for a deep dive into how these new features work in an upcoming post.

Last Chance Before NTI: Introduction to CML Teaching and Learning Starts June 17

Steve Harper 2026-06-10

Our final cohort of the Introduction to CML Teaching and Learning course before NTI begins on Wednesday, June 17.

Designed for new instructors, this course equips participants with the instructional skills, teaching strategies, and best practices needed to support student success in today’s apprenticeship classroom.

Participants will explore:

  • The instructor’s role in a CML environment
  • Best practices for facilitating learning and student engagement
  • Effective use of classroom and lab time
  • Strategies for monitoring student progress and providing support
  • Tools and resources available to help instructors succeed

Seats are limited, and this will be the last opportunity to attend before NTI.

View class details and register here:

https://electricaltrainingevents.org/event/871/info

 

New Feature: Session Archiving

Jim Stover 2026-06-02

Are the large number of old sessions slowing your workflow? We heard you, and today we dropped a new feature to help you manage your sessions: Session Archiving! If your enrollment dropdowns and Session Management screens are getting cluttered with old, unused sessions, you can now selectively hide them by selecting “Archive” from the session cog menu. Archived sessions are hidden by default, keeping your daily workflow clean and efficient. Don’t worry if you need to look back, though – you can easily use the new filter on the Session Management screen to view, manage, or even unarchive them at any time.

Streamlining Your Workflow: Simplified User Access Controls

Jim Stover 2026-05-30

Managing user access shouldn’t feel like a chore. Whether you are onboarding a brand-new cohort, adjusting mid-year subscriptions, or cleaning up your active user list, your administrative tools should move at the speed of your organization. That is why I am incredibly excited to share a sneak peek of our upcoming consolidated User Access workflow!

Does it ever feel like managing subscription and token workflows were designed by different people? (HINT: they were!) This upcoming update was created with one core philosophy in mind: giving you absolute flexibility without sacrificing speed. I know that individual account updates can take up too much of your day, so we have completely revamped how you will purchase, assign, and modify platform access within the training management system.

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New Online Course: Introduction to Computer-Mediated Teaching and Learning

Steve Harper 2026-03-30

If you’ve just stepped into an apprenticeship instructor role, or you’ve recently hired someone who has, the Introduction to Computer-Mediated Teaching and Learning course is a great place to begin.

Starting out as an instructor can feel like a lot, especially when you’re expected to navigate computer-mediated learning (CML), classroom instruction, and hands-on skills training and assessment all at once. This course is designed to make that transition smoother by focusing on practical strategies you can use right away. It helps new instructors build confidence and gives Training Directors peace of mind that their new hire has a solid foundation to work from.

It also acts as a bridge for those who are getting ready to teach but haven’t yet attended NTI. Instead of waiting, instructors can begin developing the skills they need to be effective on day one.

The course is led by Dr. Steven Schmidt, a Professional Educator from NTI, who brings a strong background in educator preparation and online instruction. His approach is straightforward and focused on what works in classrooms and CML environments.

Participants will also attend a live Q&A session with Steve Harper, etA’s Director of Learning Management System. This gives instructors a chance to ask real questions about implementation, best practices, and how to support apprentices within the platform.

Whether you’re preparing to teach or making sure your new instructor is set up for success, this course helps establish a clear, practical starting point.

Registration opening this week. Keep your eye on the EMP (electricaltrainingevents.org) for full registration information.

Duration: 5-weeks.

Format: Online, self-paced, with weekly assignments due. Approximately two hours of homework per week.

 

LMS Update

Steve Harper 2026-02-06

Happy Friday! The start of 2026 has brought some solid improvements to the LMS—both under the hood and right in front of you as an instructor. One recent update stood out as particularly helpful, and we think it’s worth a closer look.

Improved Visibility in CML Progress Reports

CML Progress Reports have been updated to give instructors a more complete picture of their class.

Progress Reports will now include students whose course access is set to begin on a future date. Previously, these students were not visible until their access became active, which could make rosters and progress checks feel incomplete or confusing.

What’s changed:

    • Students in a session/course with future-dated access now appear in CML Progress Reports

    • These students will show no progress yet, which is expected until their access begins

    • Once their access becomes active, progress will track normally

What this means for you as an instructor:

    • A more accurate view of your full class roster

    • Fewer questions about “missing” students in reports

    • Better planning and communication before a class or term begins

This update improves transparency and helps instructors understand who is enrolled, who is active, and who is scheduled to start—without guessing or waiting for access dates to arrive.

Steve Harper – Director – LMS