International Coaching Accreditation Program -for existing coaching practices (external and an organization's in-house coaching program)

Let's face it. Running your own coaching programs/business can sometimes be unnerving. It's comforting to have the support of others who've experienced the same problems, concerns and issues … and the same opportunities. If you become an Accredited Partner you are in business for yourself … not by yourself.
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For 'External' Coaching (Business, Executive) Practices that have a minimum yearly turnover of $200,000 (exceptions may apply) and 'Internal' In-House Coaching Programs that have a minimum budget of $200,000 (exceptions may apply).

These coaching (Business, Executive) businesses and programs have been personally accredited on their educational and professional competence by Dr Skiffington on a three tier AAA rating level.

Currently there is no centralized, national or international control over the professional and educational standards of coaching providers (coaching practices working with organizational clients or in-house organizational coaching programs). Individual coaches (with poor training or professional competency) can become members to a growing number of private member coaching associations. To date there is no coaching association that: a) is representative of full-time organizational (executive, corporate or small business) coaches and, b) is recognized by any state or federal government. Meantime, professional, full-time, practicing coaches and their clients have recognized the need for and the value in measuring a coaching provider’s educational and professional practice standards against a world best standard of excellence.

The Meaning of Accreditation

- Accreditation is a system that provides recognition of educational and professional performance standards.
- Accreditation is a voluntary activity which involves analysis and self-study, and peer review.

Accreditation of coaching providers by Dr Skiffington indicates that the provider has conducted a self-evaluation of all of its staff development/training programs and hosted a visit by Dr Skiffington to evaluate the practice in terms of its own stated educational goals and the Standards for Accreditation as set by the AAA Coaching Partners (based upon 'world-best standard' industry norms -tabulated by Dr Skiffington and set by a 'peer group' of leading practitioners around the world.)

The awarding of accreditation signifies that the provider:
1) -has met AAA's Standards at an acceptable level and is willing to both maintain those Standards and to improve its educational program by implementing the recommendations of the evaluation team.
2) -has a commitment toward continual self-evaluation, a pledge to self-improvement, and a desire to maintain the Standards for Accreditation.

The benefits of becoming Accredited?
- Brings prestige, respect and recognition to the partner

- Heightens clients’ and prospects' awareness of the practice and educational standards of a coaching provider

- Provides professional development tools for the provider's coaching staff

- The partner receives a framed certificate suitable for display at their reception showing their designated practice rating level and date of accreditation

- The partner may use their Rating Seal/Logo (see below) on promotional material etc 

- The partner is provided a link (via their name and region) on the 'Graduates Directory' on: 1) this major website, 2) the Organizational -Behavioral Coaching Institute, and 3) on our Partners website AAA Coaching Partners.

Background:
Accreditation is the oldest and most traditional of the standards-based systems of accountability. A recent study (1999) of the regional accreditation process found that the AAA Partner's accreditation visit (the "signature event of accreditation") is built upon a legitimate and valuable methodology for learning how well a provider functions. This methodology is centered around a dynamic of inquiry by Dr Skiffington (acknowledged internationally as one of the world's leading educators for world best-standard organizational coaching) generating knowledge about practices in the business and then drawing conclusions about how well they meet the Standards for Accreditation. Dr Skiffingon also identifies commendations and recommendations for what the business should do to improve.

In summary, accreditation ensures that through a mutually agreed-upon process, there has been a third-party examination and evaluation (by a world recognized assessor) of the extent to which a coaching provider meets the Accreditation Standards for Accreditation. The goal of accreditation is to maintain a world best-standard education and professional competency for all the practicing members of the coaching provider. Once accredited you become part of an extended community of practitioners.

Accreditation -3 Levels...