Article courtesy of Helen Brewer from the MICE Academy.
So you went to the industry conference or enrolled for that course for which the blurb boldly declared ‘the content and hand-out materials are going to set you up for total knowledge transfer’. Both time and money have been spent and at the end of the proceedings the crowning glory is……. ‘an issued attendance certificate’ to prove you were there, that you paid and have the certificate together with the delegates badge to prove it.
The big question is: What about the knowledge transfer? The clarification points which apply to your particular sector of the events industry? Does this mean that the documentation is sufficient to provide every permutation which can be implemented after the conference/course? Chances are it is highly unlikely – if not impossible.
Let’s not forget that your mind drifted to a challenge which needed to be sorted out and soon.
And what of that noisy air-con or other distractions which prevented you from concentrating.
It is a researched fact: the attention span of the average participant is no more than 20 minutes which is based on the imparting of the information being well elucidated with clear visuals. As the programme continues over several hours – with of course the obligatory breaks – unless the programme format is exciting with seriously enthusiastic presenters– who can hold their audience in the ‘palm of the hand’ as well as sensible, well-planned opportunity for participation, the message retention levels can decrease rapidly.
The end result is a certificate which affirms you were there –and nothing else. Adding insult to injury by issuing credits for merely attending is close to unethical.
The only certificates worthy of real proof of knowledge transfer are Certificates of Competence which categorically confirm the participant’s abilities to grasp the subject under review by combining a simple yet effective, scientifically compiled Q&A test. Included must be the participant’s ID or passport number to ensure it is the same individual who participated and actually took the test.
Also in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework – the subject matter must align to the sector’s domains, sectors and sub-sectors. NQF alignment clarifies no ambiguity as to whether the subject matter does indeed apply to the particular industry such as event management together with the occupational code and level.
Decision-makers are known to ignore attendance certificates for the very reasons stated. Be warned and don’t be fooled. Added value must be proven to be just that – added value of proven competence. Otherwise why attend in the first place?
