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IMMEDIATE, COMPLETE |
 Congratulations! Certification is an increasingly important step in the world of coaching. CoachVille launched its Certified Coach Program on June 25, 2002, in conjunction with the International Association of Coaches (IAC) Certified Coach designation. Here are the basics about this program and the certification process. 
The Certified Coach Program trains you in the
15 Coaching Proficiencies.
(view
proficiencies here)There are literally hundreds of coaching skills and techniques that a coach can learn and master over their lifetime but thanks to the efforts of senior coaches worldwide, a set of 15 Coaching Proficiencies has been identified which include virtually all of the hundreds of the coaching skills. When you know and apply these 15 Coaching Proficiencies, you are coaching very effectively.
The 15 Coaching Proficiencies are learnable.And, perhaps surprisingly, learnable fairly quickly. Why quickly? Because of how well they are articulated and how well they represent what the most experienced coaches are actually doing with their clients. (We interviewed many of them to verify that our 15 Coaching Proficiencies truly represent how they spend their time with clients.) Back in the 80's and 90's learning how to coach was fairly complicated and required hundreds of hours of training and thousands of hours of experience to be effective as a coach. But thanks to the work of the senior coaches who contributed to the development of the Certified Coach Program and the 15 Coaching Proficiencies, the process to be trained and effective as a coach has been reduced both in complexity and time by up to 90%. Evolution has definitely reached the coaching and coach training process.
The 15 Coaching Proficiencies are effective.Again, we worked with scores of senior coaches (who often charge $1500 to $5000 per month for their coaching services) to craft these 15 Proficiencies. It's their wisdom and experience that you will discover in the Certified Coach Program. These 15 Proficiencies work with clients because they are both simple and profound. And each adds value, as defined by the client. And each can be used in virtually all coaching settings: personal, small business, corporate and governmental. These 15 Proficiencies embody the best of coaching because they work.
The 15 Coaching Proficiencies are consistently and easily measurable,
for certification purposes.One of the exciting challenges we faced in developing the 15 Coaching Proficiencies was to ensure that a trained IAC Certifier/Tester could quickly and easily measure the level of a coach's proficiency in any of the 15 areas. Given the richness of these proficiencies, a Certifier (a highly experienced and trained Certified Mentor Coach), by listening to even just a single live or recorded client coaching session, can complete a scorecard which will educate the coach on how well they demonstrated proficiencies in the 15 areas. Which is great news for the coach in training, because this consistency of testing removes any doubt and confusion during the actual training/learning process. This because the coach is being trained in the same 15 Coaching Proficiencies via the Certified Coach program as they will be tested on in order to be awarded the Certified Coach designation.
To be a Certified Coach means that you have demonstrated proficiency
in the 15 areas.It's as simple as that. The Certified Coach 'brand' is consistent, given both the training and the testing/certification is consistent. This is very important in the marketplace, especially for individuals and companies seeking to hire internal and external coaches. They want to know who and what they are getting with these coaches, and the Certified Coach designation will be a consistent way for them to know. Which makes the buying process easier and safer for them. Which, in turn, leads to more contracts for Certified Coaches. Frequently Asked Questions How much does it cost to enter the Certified Coach Training Program (CCTP)? Believe it or not, the CCTP is included with your CoachVille membership. We can afford to offer this because the CCTP is delivered electronically (web/RealAudio). And, this affordability is a clear demonstration of how we live the simple mission at CoachVille. That mission? To improve the quality of coaching worldwide. How long does it take to complete the Certified Coach Training Program (CCTP)? That is entirely up to you. The Certified Coach designation is awarded by the IAC based strictly on demonstrated proficiencies. This, instead of the old fashioned "hours/experience" model, which may work well for other professions but is not well-suited to coaching given most coaches have been coaching their entire lives in some form. To answer your question directly, however, we recommend that you spend at least 15 hours engaging with the 15 Proficiencies, as a foundation. Through self-testing, and by asking your clients, colleagues, a Certified Mentor Coach, or even friends to help you discover 'where you are' along the path of mastering the 15 Proficiencies, you will better know how much time you will need to spend in the training/learning process. But can I really learn the 15 Coaching Proficiencies well enough via the web, in order to earn the Certified Coach designation? In many cases, yes. The Certified Coach Program is comprised of a series of lessons that include skills and proficiencies training, strong coaching/weak coaching demonstrations, critiquing, coach-the-coach segments and guides on how to know how well you are doing with any of the 15 Proficiencies. What is the fastest way to learn these 15 Proficiencies and thus qualify for the Certified Coach designation? If you are fairly new to coaching and/or fairly new to the 15 Proficiencies, you may wish to work 1-on-1 with a Certified Mentor Coach (CMC) who has been trained in the 15 Coaching Proficiencies and will be able to test your current skill set level and work with you over several months to strengthen areas that may need development. There is no requirement that you do this, but as virtually all senior coaches will tell you, one of the best ways to become an even better coach, more quickly, is to have a coach of your own. The CMC has been trained to be your learning partner. CMC's set their own fees. What is the procedure to be awarded the Certified Coach designation? When you feel you are ready, simply schedule a testing time with the International Association of Coaches (IAC). For full details of the Three-Step Certification process, visit the IAC Certification Site at http://www.certifiedcoach.org/certification.html. How do I know that I am ready to be tested? That is entirely up to you. You may take Step One of the IAC Certification test at anytime - it is a free online multiple-choice exam. Some coaches simply want to find out 'where' there are along the path of the 15 Proficiencies; others have been coaching for years and are ready to be awarded the designation. And still others have been training via the Certified Coach Program and feel ready to be tested. What if I don't pass? There is a reasonable chance that you will not pass the test the first time around. (Typically 30% of new attorneys don't pass the bar the first time.) And, you will come away with the benefit of knowing the precise areas that the Certifier feels you can strengthen. Please note that the process is 100% confidential; no one will know that you have even scheduled a test. They will only know when you have passed and been awarded the Certified Coach designation, should you wish to make this known. What does it cost to be tested for Certification? Currently, Step One (the online exam) is free. The fee for taking Steps Two and Three is currently $200 US, and includes the 3 30-minute appointments with you, your client and the Certifier, as well as the Certifier's scorecard and personal comments. This one-time fee includes a lifetime license to use the term "Certified Coach." The fee also includes one additional testing session, should you need to retake the test, or a 1-to-1 confidential session with the Certifier should you wish to learn more about his/her comments along with suggestions on how to improve your score. We have kept this fee as low as possible to make the process of becoming a Certified Coach as painless and simple as possible. And the cost for retesting? You may re-take the online examination (Step One) as many times as you like for free, however there is a 30-day lockout period every time you complete the exam. Fees for re-taking Steps Two or Three are $100US each time you re-schedule those steps of the certification process. How does this certification compare to other coach certifications? There are several very important advantages to the Certified Coach designation:
Advantage #1By the end of 2003, we expect the Certified Coach designation to be the most widely recognized coaching designation worldwide. This, because of the size of CoachVille (over 40,000 coaches in 73 countries) as the largest network of coaches worldwide. Big numbers do matter in order to build the key areas of brand credibility, worldwide acceptance and consumer awareness.
Advantage #2The Certified Coach is being certified in what we feel the marketplace respects most: Coaching Proficiencies. How proficient you are is the most important measure in our view; not just the number of hours of training or the years of experience you've had, although that can contribute greatly to your depth and breadth as a coach. We feel the Certified Coach designation should mean one thing in the marketplace; and that is that you have demonstrated the 15 Coaching Proficiencies. It's that simple. No mystery. And the consistency of the measures and the testing process builds trust in the brand.
Advantage #3A global standard. Currently, 15 campuses of CoachVille are opening outside of North America, on our way to 50 or so. The coach trainers/owners of these campuses are training coaches in their respective countries on the identical 15 Coaching Proficiencies, all leading to a single designation: Certified Coach. When you have this many schools worldwide pointing in the same direction, a standard is developed. We have also licensed the 15 Coaching Proficiencies to a large coaching school, based in the U.S. but operating internationally. And we are licensing the 15 Coaching Proficiencies to 500 or so Certified Mentor Coaches over the next year or two. Again, with this many schools and mentor coaches working with the same 15 Coaching Proficiencies toward the same designation, a standard develops.
Advantage #4Personalized learning paths. With approximately 40,000 coaches operating worldwide, there are different needs in terms of coach training and coach certification. Here is how the Certified Coach designation serves several of these market segments: Path #1. The 'new' coach who has actually been coaching for years but never called it that. Some of these folks need a strengthening of skills and an awareness of the full scope of what a coach does (the 15 Proficiencies) in order to complete their learning. Others are already there, either through past learning experiences or maybe just great genes. It's hard to say. Either way, through, the Certified Coach Program and Certification acts as a benchmark or finishing touch on their past experience, depending on where they are. A person in this situation can know quickly, easily and inexpensively 'where' they are in terms of proficiency. Path #2. The related professional (therapist, consultant) who wants to add coaching skills or to repackage themselves as a coach. There is definitely some crossover between the proficiencies that a therapist or consultant have developed and the 15 Coaching Proficiencies. We have found that when a related professional identifies the 2 or 3 (of the 15) Coaching Proficiencies that they discover the benefits of developing, that this professional's related skills quickly 'reorient' so that the professional starts working from the place where coaches and coaching comes from. Coaching is a distinct approach and style of working with people, even if there is overlap on the skills side. The Certified Coach Program and Certified Coach designation are the fast track into coaching and certification without having to 'go back to school' and start over. We respect your degrees and training. Path #3. The manager or professional who simply wants to be more 'coach-like' in how they work with others. This type of person generally doesn't want to be a full-time coach; they just want to be more effective in how they work with others. So, the Certified Coach Program is a terrific learning path for them. They can learn the skills and proficiencies, at their own pace, first and then decide if they want to go for certification. Simple, easy, practical. Path #4. The veteran coach who has decided they now wish to carry a certification. The vast majority of experienced coaches have not yet decided to become certified. This, because they are already successful in the marketplace, and second, because some view other certification options as not well fitting for them. The Certified Coach designation, while not a shoe-in for even well-experienced coaches, is a process that honors that coach's experience and track record. Path #5. The student or graduate of a coach training school or program. Given current trends, by 2005 there will be 200+ coach training schools and programs available worldwide. Some of these schools and programs offer a certification of their own, others offer a 'certificate of completion.' (Big difference, obviously.) And some schools offer specialty certifications (Certified ADD Coach, for example). Diversity is very important. And, many of these graduates are looking for a common bond and designation that connects them professionally to the larger, global coaching community. We feel that the Certified Coach designation is that connection, given it certifies that you, and your colleagues, have demonstrated proficiency in the 15 areas. The Certified Coach designation does not compete with any other certification or program. Rather, it offers a unifying opportunity, given its inclusivity and given that it honors the many specialties and approaches to coaching.
A consistent curriculum targeted toward a common designation:Certified Coach Training Program This, so that those who are taking the Certified Coach exam have been properly trained and prepared for it. CoachVille and those schools/groups who have and will be trained/licensed to teach the 15 Coaching Proficiencies will provide a consistent and integrated curriculum worldwide.
Consistency of testing and awarding of certification:International Association of Coaches The testing process needs to be consistent and 'true' to the 15 Coaching Proficiencies. Certified Coach designation is managed, marketed and protected by the International Association of Coaches, a separate non-profit membership association and certification body. The IAC (International Association of Coaches) is a membership/voting organization that is furthering the interests of coaching clients worldwide. It is 100% independent from CoachVille and sets its own agenda. The IACC's agenda includes standards for ethics, complaints and policing.
A network of coaches who are not certified, yet including those who
are:CoachVille Related example being the IAFP (International Association of Financial Planners). CoachVille is currently hosting this network in the coaching world given the number and variety of coaches who are members and and given the 100+ (soon to be 200) CoachVille-affiliated chapters available. Do you have questions that were not addressed above? Please email support@coachville.com for an answer. To view all of the resources available to you, visit our home page. To join CoachVille now, click here. copyright 2002 by coachville.com. no duplication. |
