What the STEC? How we built a certificate that is better than the industry standard

In this talk, Rosie Sherry and Simon Tomes share how MoT built the Software Testing Essentials Certification, also known as STEC. They tell the story of why they wanted to create a certification that feels modern, community shaped, and genuinely useful for people starting or growing a career in software testing and quality.

Rosie explains how traditional certifications once gave her team shared terminology, but also how the focus on exam scores created pressure and unhelpful comparisons. These experiences inspired Rosie and Simon to challenge the old model and design something that supports learning rather than testing your ability to pass an exam. They describe how STEC focuses on confidence, community, and connection instead of exam fees and retakes.

They talk about the size and strength of the community behind STEC. Fifty-nine software testing and quality professionals shaped the certification. These contributors shared their voices and experience through written articles, paired conversations, audio stories, and practical demonstrations. Rosie and Simon explain how this mix shows many ways of thinking about software testing and quality, rather than presenting a single fixed approach.

A core part of STEC is the portfolio that learners build as they progress. Every lesson includes an activity where learners create something practical, such as testing notes, a first test case, or evidence of an approach they tried. These items form a portfolio of work that can be added to a Ministry of Testing profile. This helps learners show what they can do, grow their reputation, and connect their learning to the wider MoT community.

By the end of the talk, you will understand why STEC exists, how it was created with the community, and what makes it different from traditional certifications. You will also see how a practical portfolio and a growing MoT profile can help learners feel more confident as they take their first steps into quality or progress in their career.