What sets Accreditation apart?

One of the best things about my role in the AC is that I get to connect with other coaches across the globe on a regular basis, often virtually through Skype call or webinars, or sometimes in person if I’m invited to an event or conference.

In all cases it isn’t long before the conversation turns to what AC accreditation is all about. And then I start to have some really interesting conversations!

As we know, not all coaches come to coaching through a prescribed route. Some of us have gained a lot of experience in coaching delivery, having undertaken minimal training beforehand. For many coaches, this minimal training would not be enough to enable them to apply to become accredited at Foundation or Foundation Executive Coach level, never mind at the other three levels.

This is where the AC is different from some of the other membership bodies. We recognise that not all coaches undertake the required 35+ hours of coach training (which is the minimum requirement for entry at Foundation or Foundation Executive level) before starting to work as a coach. For AC Coach Accreditation, we count cumulative coaching delivery experience and training – and there is no limit to how long ago that training or coaching delivery took place, provided that the applicant can evidence this in their accreditation submission.

For many coaches I meet, this is a revelation and it’s wonderful to be able to encourage them to apply at a higher level than they originally thought they would eligible for. Often this is the difference between them joining the ever-growing band of AC Accredited Coaches at Coach, Professional or even Master level (provided they meet the other eligibility criteria, of course).

The other surprise for many coaches is that we count many different types of activities in the CPD requirement. For example, input-oriented activities include:

• Courses or workshops you have attended as a participant
• Seminars, lectures and conferences you have attended as a participant
• Studying for further qualifications (coach-related) e.g. diplomas, Masters etc.
• Reading books, journals, online magazines, newsletters
• Online discussion forums e.g. AC LinkedIn discussions you have participated in or followed
• AC Group Supervision Experience calls you have attended

And output-oriented activities include:

• Developing others through designing, developing or delivering training, workshops, seminars, CPD events etc.
• Presenting at conferences, lecturing
• Writing books, articles, papers, book reviews etc.
• Leading online discussion forums, e.g. AC LinkedIn discussions
• Publishing research
• Involvement in AC volunteer work

So, by attending a couple of the AC webinars such as Collaborative Conversations with Masters (which are a member benefit), reading a couple of books, connecting with other AC Members through the online groups on the AC website, writing book reviews for the AC Coaching Perspective Magazine and then perhaps offering to contribute to the AC by support events or the co-coaching forums you can easily accumulate (or possibly exceed!) the minimum CPD hour required per year for your level of AC Accreditation.

So, in short, my role is often about sharing good news – which can’t be a bad thing!