Competent Professional Training & Accreditation
The Competent Professional course is created for those looking to explore the scheme in more depth without becoming an assessor, this pathway offers comprehensive learning and progression opportunities, helping individuals become more knowledgeable in the SKArating scheme and wider environmental sustainability of interiors.
Registrations are now open for existing Assessors wishing to renew as a Competent Professional if this pathway represents their role more accurately. Training courses for others wanting to become a Competent Professionals are in the final development stages and will take place in January with pre-bookings now open.
Find out more and book here:
Professional Competency Levels
Professional Competency levels are a new part of the SKArating training and accreditation pathways. Each competency level encompasses a set of capabilities that candidates must meet to join and progress through each stage of SKArating training and accreditation. Key themes within these competencies include professional conduct, communication and management, systemic thinking, technical and sustainability knowledge, scheme and assessment knowledge, and the rules governing the system. As candidates complete each training level, they advance through these competencies, gaining progressively greater skills and expertise. Candidates aiming for accreditation as either a Competent Professional or Assessor must demonstrate proficiency at the highest and relevant competency levels. The introduction of these competency levels is designed to ensure that accredited candidates possess the experience and skills required to excel as SKArating Assessors or specialists within the industry.
To find out more about the Competencies Matrix, please take a look at the Pathways Guide here:
Auditing Improvements
The approach and level of Assessor auditing and support for competency during the first year of Assessors has also been improved with new audits occurring on first projects. The aim is to guide Assessors in advance, avoid malpractice and maximise opportunities for project performance.
To maintain the standards of SKArating and ensure clients receive consistent and robust certification quality across the community and market, the auditing processes, benchmarks, and consequences have been updated to clarify outcomes. Under this updated system, Assessors will undergo an audit within their first year of accreditation, then adhoc and at least once every three years, or sooner if any “red flags” arise, whether from issues in their assessments or concerns regarding professional conduct. Assessor audits will be measured against set benchmarks that identify potential “major fail” items or general errors, resulting in a Pass or Fail at varying levels of “Consequences.” A Pass may be awarded either unconditionally or with recommendations, while a Fail will require retraining in the scheme, temporary suspension of accreditation, or a total ban from assessor status.
The new auditing initiative is designed to be a fair process for all Assessors, helping to uphold the scheme’s high standards while supporting professionals to gain strength in environmental sustainability and improve the wider industry.
To find out more about Quality Assurance (QA), please find the QA home page here and the QA Guide here.
To find out more and ask questions about the changes, sign up for our public online briefing session on the 20th November 12-1pm GMT: