“Well, the starting point for me was to go through the CEDR Mediation Skills Training course. That’s not to say there was anything wrong with my original training (The Mediation Partnership did a grand job!) but the accreditation through CEDR is recognised in 96 different countries world-wide, so it gives an immediate widening of spread.
“I was already a CEDR Associate, largely for consultancy and negotiation skills training around workplace (especially collective bargaining) issues. However, they had also invited me to join the CEDR Mediation Skills Training Faculty, so it made absolute sense that I went through the training before doing so.
“It was an interesting challenge. I’ve never been comfortable with being assessed (something that definitely held me back as a rugby referee, and part of the reason why I now coach), so the thought of going through one of the most rigorous assessments of one of my professional skills was quite daunting. It helped that the course was focused on commercial mediation, but I was nonetheless relieved to get my accreditation!
“Since then, I have been through CEDR’s equally rigorous training process to joing their MST Faculty. I have a clear focus on Workplace & Employment mediation, and that is what has also led to my delivering Conciliation of Collective Labour Disputes training on behalf of the ITCILO in Georgia and Malaysia this year.
“All in all, it felt like a serious challenge, but ultimately it has been worth it. My mediation work is now much more widespread, whether it comes direct, through Scottish Mediation or the CEDR Mediator Panel, and delivering the training continues to throw up new ideas and experience that I use both for future courses and in active mediations.
“I suppose it reinforces a phrase I’ve used for many years: if you stop learning, you might as well stop.”
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