Accreditation of Professional Competence Steve Doswell & Sally Holland UVAC Annual Conference 2013

Introductions

Overview Achievement Approaches adopted Lessons learnt Benefits of accreditation Q & A

Accreditation of professional competence Foundation Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication Professional accreditation 30 CATs at Level 4 Dual award

Achievement IoIC Delivery & Assessment Dual Award Solent Annual monitoring

IoIC - How did we get there? IoIC – initiated Rationale Board approval

SSU - How did we get there? Due diligenceFaculty agreement Review assessment & processes

SSU - How did we get there? ObservationsCollaborative provision PDU development and approval

SSU - How did we get there? External verificationPartnership agreementAward board

Lessons Learnt SSUIoIC Relationship firstCommunication Clear expectations Boundaries Clear processRelationship

Roles and responsibilities SSUIoIC Annual monitoringPromotion, candidates, bookings & delivery Assessment remains 30 CATs at level 4 Set & mark assessment Award of dual awardDecision to pass candidate

Assessment Evidence portfolio Industry based practical project Exam and interview

Benefits for IoIC External verificationCredibilityProfessional body

Benefits to employee Fundamental skillsProfessional practice Industry recognised qualification

Benefits for SSU External partnershipFeeds into curriculumReputation

Internal comms rising stars

Professional competence KnowledgeWritingStrategy Professional development Technical skills Building relationships & influence

Professional membership

Value to the employer

Trish Tweddle, then IC manager, Anglian Water, Cambridgeshire: “The passion for good communication needs to be shared. I only wish the same qualification was available when I started out in internal communication.”

Andrew Rushton, Head of Communications, Department of Work and Pensions, Lancashire: “At last! A genuine opportunity to set universally accepted standards for the industry.”

Dillan Shikotra – Graduate of the Foundation Diploma What was the experience of taking the diploma like? ‘‘This was a fantastic experience as it allowed me to analyse and evaluate work that I had completed.’’

What candidates generally say…. ‘‘Confidence’’ ‘‘Changed a lot’’ ‘‘Learnt a lot’’

Thank you