Press Release

Professional bodies concerned about training and assessment role-relevance


MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, June 29, 2016 – The vast majority of senior managers of professional bodies are concerned about the role-relevance of training and assessment, according to a new survey.

Despite the fact that over half (59 percent) of respondents to a survey – conducted by the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) in association with computer-based testing company Pearson VUE – believe newly certified professionals are prepared for their job roles after completing training and assessment programmes, over 8 in 10 of them (81 percent) are concerned about ensuring learning and assessment content is relevant.

The survey of 68 senior managers from professional bodies – representing multiple sectors in the Australia and the UK – also reveals that over 6 in 10 (64 percent) respondents believe that improving the relevance of learning and assessment is very important for professional exam candidates.

Rob Pitts, head of services at PARN, said: “There is an increasing challenge in maintaining the role-related relevance of content, in part due to rapidly advancing technology and the impact of this on our lives. But professional bodies are rising to this challenge with potential solutions too.”

Almost half (48.5 percent) of respondents are taking steps to address this issue by partnering with employers to create curriculums more aligned with the workplace, according to the study (Professional bodies and certification survey 2015: Motivations, key issues and solutions).

Adrian Evans, vice president of Pearson VUE Australia and South East Asia, said: “Making training and assessment content relevant to the skills required in the workplace has never been more important, and it is encouraging to see that professional bodies are aware and focused on making this happen.”

  • Daryl Martin of Pearson VUE will give a presentation discussing the report findings at the Associations Forum National Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday 4th July at 3:45pm and copies of the report will be available at booth 41. See the website bit.ly/262zTti for more information.

About PARN
The Professional Associations Research Network (www.parnglobal.com) is a not-for-profit membership organisation for professional bodies, offering expertise, experience and perspective on key issues in the sector through research, bespoke services, networking, events and training. PARN was set up in 1998 by Professor Andy Friedman.


Media contact

Damien Fletcher
+44 (0)20 7010 2582
damien.fletcher@pearson.com