Title: Subject-Matter Expert Onboarding
Author: Kaito Hanamori
Published: January 23, 2023
Last modified: March 17, 2026

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# Subject-Matter Expert Onboarding

## In this article

 * [What is a Subject-Matter Expert (SME)?](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#what-is-a-subject-matter-expert-sme)
 * [Your First Contribution](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#your-first-contribution)
 * [Come add your name to our list of contributors!](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#come-add-your-name-to-our-list-of-contributors)
 * [What’s next?](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#whats-next)

[↑ Back to top](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#wp--skip-link--target)

Welcome to the Training Team’s onboarding guide for new contributors interested 
in **providing subject-matter expertise related tasks** in the team!

## 󠀁[What is a Subject-Matter Expert (SME)?](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#what-is-a-subject-matter-expert-sme)󠁿

Generally speaking, a [subject-matter expert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject-matter_expert)
is someone who has extensive knowledge in a particular field or area and can provide
advice, guidance, and direction in that subject. Within the Training Team, you will
work with content creators and editors, applying your expertise to help guide the
team in creating learning materials, online training courses and more. This could
be testing a course, reviewing a lesson, editing content for accuracy, SEO, accessibilityAccessibility
Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices,
services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible
design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning
compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen
readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) or any other area of training
your expertise may cover.

## 󠀁[Your First Contribution](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#your-first-contribution)󠁿

Let’s get started with your first contribution to the Training Team as a Subject-
Matter Expert. As a subject-matter expert a great first contribution is to Vet a
couple of topic ideas.

We have a detailed document on [Vetting Topic Ideas](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/guidelines/vetting-topic-ideas/)
for you to get started.

## 󠀁[Come add your name to our list of contributors!](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#come-add-your-name-to-our-list-of-contributors)󠁿

The Training Team keeps a list of active contributors so that we know who is available
to help out with team tasks. You can request your name to be added or removed at
any time! If you enjoyed your first contribution and would like your name to be 
added, please fill out the form below.

## We’d love to hear your feedback

You are almost at the end of the Training Team’s onboarding program. How was the
experience? We’d love to hear any feedback you have in the [#training Slack channel](https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RW657Q).

## 󠀁[What’s next?](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/getting-started/subject-matter-expert-onboarding/?output_format=md#whats-next)󠁿

Now that you’ve completed your first contribution, here is a list of other tasks
you can complete as a team subject-matter expert.

 * [Vetting Topic Ideas](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/guidelines/vetting-topic-ideas/)
 * Weekly sweep of [Topic Ideas](https://github.com/orgs/WordPress/projects/33/views/18)
 * Work with content creators
 * [Reviewing Content](https://make.wordpress.org/training/handbook/guidelines-for-reviewing-content-on-learn/)
 * SEO Expert

Thank you so much for your contribution! We look forward to having you attend one
of our upcoming team meetings and saying hello!👋🏼

[Training Team Meeting Times](https://make.wordpress.org/meetings/#training)

First published

January 23, 2023

Last updated

March 17, 2026

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