Almost everywhere virtually anyone can practice as a Ombuds – just as, sadly, anyone can call themselves a banker. There is typically no initial educational requirement, no license to practice, no vetting of skills or continuing professional development and little real practice regulation. How, then, are users able properly to determine competency?
The Ombuds profession is, in relative terms, a small market. Competition is intense. How do the players in the market effectively address the common issue of getting the field recognized as a true profession?
The certification program is designed to enable. It is not a “peak” or superior body. Its role is simply to enable workable, transparent and high competency standards to be developed, to aid best practice sharing and to promote the understanding and use of Ombuds services.
This was written not about the Ombuds certification proposal, but for an international mediator certification scheme. Irena Vanenkova, Operations Director of the International Mediation Institute, explains that certification brings significant benefits to individuals and the profession. The comparisons are compelling and worth considering. (Mediate.com.)
Related posts: International Mediation Institute Reveals Certification Plans; Seizing the Opportunity of Professionalization.
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