‘Objective’ ‘robust’ ‘fair’ sounds like an evaluation

These are words we find we are constantly referencing in our discussions as the Project Panel for the Engagement Evaluation course.

This panel – consisting of the contracted authors (Urbis); two trainers (Donna Bevan, Australia and Chris Mene, NZ); two IAP2 Australasia Certificate in Engagement participants (Helen Bartley VIC and Eleanor Laban NZ) and our stakeholder representative Layla McNeil from Transport for NSW – have a governance role to ensure that this new course is what our members want, and it is IAP2A’s responsibility to ensure the course is ‘right’ for the ‘right people’ and the ‘right people’ come to the course.

So, what is a ‘right person’?

IAP2A is currently finding out more about our course participants. If you have recently attended one of our courses, you will have noticed in the course review that there are now questions about your:

• role (team member, manager, senior manager or executive, so that we know whether you are interested in learning everything ASAP or dealing with higher level issues such as reporting to the executive or working with elected representatives);
• highest level of education (about 80% have a degree so that means all courses ideally are pitched at a postgraduate level*); and
• where you live and work.

*When we mention ‘postgraduate’ we sometimes hear an intake of air. That does not necessarily mean the courses will be academic; they will be based on recognised academic theory. It does not mean that those who do not have a bachelor degree will not be able to cope with the course because the courses will be delivered to capture the experience of ‘streetwise’ people as well as those who have completed formal education. IAP2A is positioning its courses at the ‘What do I need to know about…?’ ‘What are the implications of…?’ level.

From 2019 you will see that IAP2A’s promotion will clearly show who should, and who should not, do this course. Some people who are experienced will still choose to do the course as a refresher or to pause to reflect but IAP2A will give clearer guidance because we do not want members to feel that their time was not well spent.

Back to the Engagement Evaluation Course: where are we at?

The Project Panel reviewed the draft course notes in the May meeting and is assisting with sourcing case examples to reflect the IAP2A spectrum. We’re on track to pilot this course in August and start the national roll out from September.