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Published on: 15/02/2022Updated on: 15/02/2022
As of January 1st, 2022, certification accreditation has replaced the approval that IPERIA offers to its network of partner training organizations to deliver certified training across the territory. On both January 20th and 25th, the territorial certification representatives led sessions on this new accreditation pathway. Among the 18 participants were long-standing IPERIA-certified training organizations experienced in certifications, such as Val de Sèvre Formation, as well as newcomers who recently joined the network and are eager to seize the development opportunities that certification offers, such as GRETA Hérault Ouest. How do they approach certification? What are the objectives of this discussion time? How did they experience it? Let's explore.
A Pathway of Mutual Commitment
IPERIA, as a certifying body, relies on its network of accredited partners who prepare candidates for certification and conduct assessment of its certifications. Additionally, under decree n°2021-389 of April 2, 2021 France Competences has been granted expanded oversight authority over certifying bodies.
In compliance with France Competences’ requirements, IPERIA has revised its specifications for implementing its certifications, with approval giving way to certification accreditation. "We designed the accreditation as a pathway of commitment and complete and continuous support. It confirms the shared commitment of IPERIA and accredited organizations to recognition through skills while ensuring uniform implementation of certifications across the territory," explains Coralie Legrand, head of IPERIA's training and certification quality service.
Certification as a Development Driver
"We operate in a relatively large territory. 10% of childcare providers come to us for training. Until now, requests from this audience focused on short training courses, one or two days, so mainly training modules," explains Laure Godet, director of Val de Sèvre Formation, a long-standing IPERIA-certified training organization. But she noticed that, everywhere, Shared Childminding Facilities (MAM) are increasingly developing in the area and, unfortunately, don't always succeed. Hence, her interest in certification. "We want to position ourselves for the CQP Working in Shared Childminding Facilities and at least one IPERIA certificate on disability listed in the Specific Directory. Our goal is to develop our training offer for this audience."
For GRETA Hérault Ouest, certification also represents excellent development opportunities. It was already central to the training organization's ambitions when it obtained the IPERIA certification in late 2021. "This sector-specific certification is an asset for our Greta. We want to address both the course modularization aspect and the certification component. Besides qualifications, the skills-based approach (blocks and certificates) is something we didn't have in our offer. What interests us is offering complete and partial pathways within regional calls for services, POECs, etc. We would like to leverage IPERIA's offer to provide certification training that enables candidates to have directly applicable professional skills and become operational quickly," announces David Combes, continuing education advisor at Greta Hérault Ouest. He intends to raise awareness among local partners' employment agencies about the potential these certification pathways offer to meet territorial needs. These are high-demand occupations in the recruiting sector. "Concretely, we hope to help people find jobs."
An Exchange Day, Prerequisite for Any Provisional Accreditation
When a training organization seeks to implement certification training, it must participate in a one-day exchange session, which allows it to:
- Learn about certification options available to current and future domestic employees, including qualifications and Specific Directory certificates, which can be obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or training programs.
- Understand and comply with France Compétences regulatory framework and certification body requirements.
- Master the tools and standards for implementing RPL and training certification pathways, including assessment methodologies and related administrative procedures.
- Learn the essential tools and requirements for functioning as a support organization, training provider, and assessment center.
- Understand the step-by-step process to launch certification activities
"Our role is to help training organizations understand skills frameworks by providing insights into occupations and their necessary and emerging skill requirements. We help them understand their role and responsibilities in conducting assessments that comply with France Compétences requirements," says Magali Tétier, IPERIA territorial certification representative, who regularly leads these sessions.
Initially planned in person, January sessions were held remotely due to the health crisis, "but this didn't hinder exchanges at all," David Combes rejoices. "We were a small group, and there wasn't one-way communication. We could interact and get personalized answers, which was appreciated."
Val de Sèvre Formation already offers certification training outside the individual employer sector in its catalog, so it has a good grasp of certification in general. "Nevertheless, it's always interesting to review everything and understand IPERIA's specific organization: occupations, blocks, new Specific Directory certifications, RPL, preparation and validation of assessments, or even juggling different certifications," specifies Laure Godet.
It’s time for discovery now for other recently certified organizations like GRETA Hérault Ouest. "The content was very dense and rich," according to David Combes, who also emphasizes the need for time to assimilate and additional support from other services involved in certification, as provided for in the pathway. "This day helps us approach sector knowledge, get started, and especially map out what remains to be done. This day only makes sense if there are further discussions afterward."
Complete and Continuous Support
Throughout the accreditation pathway, all teams from IPERIA and the University of Home Care Services, its partner in charge of changing the sector's offer, support accredited training organizations to ensure proper implementation of certifications. This cross-cutting support appealed to David Combes and his "modest-sized" training organization: "We're joining a network; we have a recognized certification in the field and benefit from expert contacts at all levels (certification design, training design, development, administrative management, quality approach, RPL support, etc.). It's very comprehensive!" Before requesting certification, he noticed that IPERIA and certified structures were well-known by childcare providers and Early Childhood Centers. Of course, he'll still need some time to identify all contacts, but he appreciates the precise answers for each activity. "What might have seemed a bit confusing at first is reassuring."
Each accredited training organization strives to gradually improve both quality and activity. This is why the complete support offered in the accreditation pathway is valuable assistance. Laure Godet explains: "In principle, we're all interested in certification, but we still need to start acting. I had a video call with Stéphanie Bossé, advisor for professional development offers and mechanisms. It’s a valuable complement that provided me with the tools to implement an action plan."
Other accreditation days are scheduled on March 10, May 5, June 29, September 22, and December 8, 2022. There's still time to join the movement!
