pr suisse launches personal certificate as ISO quality standard in the communications industry
pr suisse, the Swiss Public Relations Association, is setting an example for quality assurance in the communications industry: The certificate for the "Certified Communications Consultant" creates an award that provides employees with expert status and allows employers a solid basis for assessment.
The pr suisse certificate is based on the international standard SN EN ISO/IEC 17024. It is nationally and internationally recognised, comparable and protected. The first certificate audit is scheduled for autumn 2018.
The variety of tertiary level communication degrees and titles that exist in the marketplace makes it difficult for employers to reliably assess the competencies of communication specialists. At the same time, the value of continuing education continues to grow, as employees are aware that continuing education with a recognised qualification is career enhancing.
For their part, employers and clients expect their employees in senior communications positions to provide efficient and solution-oriented advice and implementation in every situation.
Evidence for expert status
A central objective of pr suisse is to promote the reputation of the profession and to identify the high quality level of communication consulting in agencies, companies, authorities and NGO/NPO. The newly created personal certificate "Certified Communications Consultant" or "Certified Consultant in Strategic Communication" is intended to significantly promote the profession nationally and internationally, regardless of educational qualifications, and to set a quality standard for the entire industry.
In business, personal certificates have gained importance in various industries in recent years. They provide the holder with expert status in the areas of strategy, consulting and leadership due to their professional competence and solid professional experience. For employers, the personal certificate is a valuable assessment and decision-making basis for personnel recruitment.
Case study instead of knowledge test
Any person who works in the communications industry in Switzerland or abroad and provides the required theoretical and practical proof of competence can be certified. Admission to the certificate examination is calculated according to a points system. The certification is not a knowledge examination. Using a case study as an example, candidates' competencies are tested orally and in writing by established experts accredited by the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ).
Recertification takes place through written proof of continuing education achievements^within five years. Certification is carried out under the supervision of the neutral and independent certification organisation SAQ, which is controlled by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS). The latter is subordinate to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The first exam is scheduled for the fall of 2018. The date will be published in good time on www.prsuisse/personal-certificate published
