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The pass rate for people taking the Institute of Internal Communication foundation diploma is currently running at a little more than 60 per cent. The figure was revealed as the diploma, part of the accreditation programme designed to raise standards within the internal communication profession, reached the midway point of its second year of operation. “Thirty-six people have already completed the foundation diploma and received their results while another 37 are currently working towards it,” said programme co-director Steve Knight.“The pass mark is running at 61.6 per cent, but we are expecting this to increase as people re-sit the sections they didn’t get right first time.” Knight is delighted that so many people signed up to take the programme following its launch in January last year. “There is a need for communication professionals to demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to add real value to their organisations, particularly in the current business climate,” he said. He also admitted to having mixed feelings about the pass rate. “I’ve met everyone who has taken, or is taking, the programme and I would love for them all to pass,” he said. “However, I am also well aware that if the accreditation programme is to have any real meaning, it should be realistic and testing. People who have passed the programme should feel that they have achieved something of real professional significance and employers should understand the amount of work that their people have had to do to gain the diploma.” GrammarKnight said there was one main area of concern developing around the accreditation. “Whereas evidence gathering and preparing a communication report is causing few problems, the final exam often exposes a weakness in some people’s basic grammar skills,” he revealed. “There is consistent feedback from employers that new joiners’ written language skills are inadequate for the demands of work. The Institute is determined to encourage internal communication practitioners in their efforts to master the necessary skills and demonstrate full competence in this area. “The good news is that the diploma concentrates the mind. People taking the programme are now sorting out these grammar problems before they take the exam. This is an example of how the diploma is helping to professionalise the industry.” The next foundation level cohort – currently planned to be the last for 2010 – begins work on October 1. “We already have people signing up and, even in the current business climate, I expect it to be over-subscribed,” said Knight. For more information see the professional development section. |
