 IoIC’s Foundation Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication is Part 1 of IoIC's two-part qualification designed to help raise professional standards throughout the IC industry.
Preparing for and gaining the Foundation Diploma will:
- Ensure individuals have the fundamental skills and knowledge for a career in IC
- Give them more confidence in the workplace
- Bring structure to their early career path
- Allow them a wider understanding of internal communications
- Offer the necessary background information to underpin best practice
- Provide an industry-recognised qualification
- Enable vital peer networking through IoIC membership
- Help advance their career
To gain the IoIC Foundation Level Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication qualification, a candidate will have to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and direct experience:
Knowledge
- An understanding of what internal communication is and where it fits into his or her organization
- A knowledge of different audiences, messages and media with specific examples of how this knowledge has been applied
- A basic knowledge of legal issues relevant to the internal communications sector
- An understanding of different photography/illustration needs for different media (including briefing photographers)
- An understanding of different design needs for different media (includes use of different fonts, colours and readability issues as well as individual company branding issues)
- An understanding of the variety of different communication channels and techniques used in internal communications
- An understanding of effective practice when attending a meeting
Skills
- Examples of how basic planning principles have been applied by the candidate
- An example of supporting colleagues in the delivery of a specific communication campaign
- Examples of the ability to research information accurately for dissemination to an internal audience
- Examples of the ability to conduct one-to-one interviews to gain accurate information for dissemination to an internal audience;
- Examples of the ability to write accurate, simple communications for a variety of channels in an appropriate style for the audience, using plain English and correct grammar;
- Examples of the ability to sub-edit accurately and improve colleagues’ work ready for publication;
- Demonstration of accurate proof reading;
- Examples of working effectively with internal or external clients and suppliers;
- Examples of excellent prioritising and time management;
- Examples of team working;
- Examples of internal communications networking and professional development;
- Examples of interpersonal communication.
Direct experience
- Working as an assistant, junior team member or someone relatively new to the internal communication discipline.
- Supporting colleagues in the delivery of communication campaigns
- Exposure to a variety of channels and techniques – different hard news, soft news, people stories and features styles, writing for the web, intranet etc
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Trish Tweddle, internal communications manager, Anglian Water, Cambridgeshire:
“It’s absolutely right for IoIC to give internal communications colleagues the right skills we know are essential to deliver the communication that is increasingly important to today’s business. The passion for good communication needs to be shared. I only wish the same qualification was available when I started out in internal communication.” |
The four distinct elements of the qualification are:
- An initial immersion day, where the standards required to attain the qualification are fully explained and students meet the other members of their 'cohort' of IC practitioners who are preparing for the qualification at the same time.
- An evidence file, in which the student compiles material to provide evidence of attainment of each skill and area of knowledge required for the diploma. Students compile their evidence files back in the workplace.
- An industry practical project. IoIC will provide a real-life work-based scenario and the student will receive a briefing via a telephone-based interview with a member of the industry monitoring panel before developing a communication plan.
- An examination, including interview with industry
monitoring panel members.
The dates for the next two "cohorts" are:
- May 28th 2010 immersion day with exam on December 3rd (THIS COHORT IS NOW FULL).
- October 1 with exam date to be confirmed in March/April 2011 (NOW BOOKING)
To be awarded the qualification, the candidate will need to attend the immersion day, complete the evidence file, receive high enough marks on the practical project and also pass the final examination. Failure to achieve in any area will mean a re-sit of that particular element.
People who wish to take the Foundation Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication will only be allocated a place on an initial immersion day once their full payment has been received.
This qualification, which will take around six months to achieve, is organised and delivered on behalf of IoIC by Knight Train & Consult Ltd. It is overseen by an independent industry monitoring panel.
Please see our "how to apply" and "what it costs" pages if you are interested in taking the diploma.
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