Pistis reclaims certification (weekending July 2nd 2022)

 

‽istis reclaims certification (weekending July 2nd 2022)

This week ‽istis has reaped the benefits of being certificated, or should that be certified…‽ Deemed competent, a gateway to the world’s roads has been opened up; two wheels, a small motor, some protective clothing, a ‘lifesaver’ glance – and away!

Various certificates have been accrued over the years: a second prize for the best plate of scones (Junior category), a bronze lifesaving award, various for instrument playing, others academic and professional. 

On the day, in that moment, at that point of observation, examination or test - one was deemed to be competent, good enough, or in the case of the scones, nearly best!

Two ponderings have preoccupied ‽istis this week:

·        What about all those activities, roles, posts and positions for which there is no certification, no demonstration of actual tried and tested specific competence – for example those roles that someone has never actually done before: first time parent, partner, Prime Minister or Deputy Chief Whip (1)‽ Hope, application of previous learning, new learning on the job, muddling through and sometimes sheer hubris may just about carry one through?

·        What about those activities, roles, posts and positions for which we can only say: “once I was deemed competent” with little re-assessment or further checks of a similar rigour?

And ‽istis is left wondering about roles, posts and positions for which we could develop a process of certification: 

• peaceful national/international leader  
• viral social media influencer
• successful household budgeter in a cost-of-living crisis
• effective industrial dispute negotiator, union leader or Secretary of State for Transport 
• friend 
• member of parliament
• parent 
• holder of immense wealth 
• dog-owner 
• good neighbour
• monarch 
• decent human…  

and you might like both to add your own and then perhaps consider how we could provide suitable learning (including modelling) to be thought competent. Just what could be assessed and possibly how might eligibility for the relevant certificate be tested? Who might be the assessors and awarding bodies‽

Meanwhile, time to tuck away the certificate somewhere safe, check in the mirrors and take another ‘lifesaver’ glance…

© Pistis                                                                                                                    

NB: further reflections and comments linked to this week’s theme and past blog entries to be found on Twitter: replies, retweets (which don’t necessarily indicate approval, sometimes the very opposite!) and ‘likes’: @Pistis_wonders. ‘Follows’ and respectful comment and dialogue welcome...  

    1) References include: Former housing minister Chris Pincher resigns over drunken party (thenegotiator.co.uk) who resigned from the UK Government: 30.6.2022