This building block is concerned with establishing a process for the use of the instruments and tools in assessing the competence of professionals and their suitability for certification. Such a process is known in WIO-COMPAS as an ‘event’, and starts with a call for applications from suitable professionals working at the appropriate level for the certification level focus of the event. The application process provides an initial screening to ensure as far as possible that the applicants have a very reasonable chance of certification. Applicants who are successful become ‘candidates’ and are invited to a 4 day event where the interactive assessment instruments are employed by experienced assessors. Prior to the event portfolios and the case studies are developed by the candidates. Assessors are appointed, following a rigorous selection and training process, and at Levels 1 and 2 each is assigned 3 or 4 candidates, whom they mentor through the process. At Level 3 the assessors work in concert as a panel. The final decision on whether to certify a candidate is not that of the assessors, but of the Certification Board acting on their recommendation.
- Appointment of appropriately experienced, qualified and trained assessors with a good tacit knowledge of the field and/or assessment processes
- Assessors acting as supportive mentors, rather than as judges
- Inclusion of a rigorous application process
- Provision of clear guidelines on all aspects of the process for applicants/candidates
- Inclusion of a clear appeals process for dis-satisfied candidates
- Established and trusted network which the Certifying Bodies are able to access for engaging organizations to send their staff to Events.
The quality and commitment of the assessors is paramount. The relationship developed between assessors and candidates needs to be both collegial and disciplined, maintaining the necessary distance while providing the necessary support. In WIO-COMPAS it has been agreed that assessors should preferably not be from the same institution as any of their candidates. While single assessors can have sufficient capacity to assess at Levels 1 and 2, Level 3 assessment requires a panel of specialists working in concert. Assessors, while having individual responsibility for a pool of candidates (except at Level 3), should frequently interact with each other and share the progress of their candidates. Ultimately the recommendations for certification or not, are submitted as a collective decision. Adequate time must be allowed for each stage in the process from initial applications, and for application of all instruments at the event.