Certifications recognize professionals from entry-level to C-suite positions
New designations, launched by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP), will recognize outsourcing professionals working at every career level from entry-level to C-suite positions.
The association expanded its certification and professional development programs in response to increased market demands for professional certifications in the outsourcing industry from individuals, outsourcing companies and governments.
“With our expanding range of certification offerings, IAOP is creating opportunities for professional development and recognition at each stage in an individual's career,” said Michael Corbett, chairman at IAOP.
The new certifications build on the association's original designation for outsourcing professionals — the Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP).
Holders of the COP designation, launched in 2006, demonstrate their experience and knowledge against an independently developed set of industry-wide standards. The designation demonstrates the individual possesses the knowledge required to design, implement and manage outsourcing initiatives that have a high probability of achieving an organization’s intended outcomes.
The new certifications include:
• Associate Certified Outsourcing Professional (aCOP) designation focuses on documenting the individual’s knowledge of the management process of outsourcing itself. To become an aCOP, individuals must pass the COP exam and successfully complete the live or online COP master class. Upon achieving the aCOP certification, individuals may go on to document the required experience to achieve the COP certification level as well.
• Certified Outsourcing Executive (COE) designation for individuals who are recognized by IAOP and their peers in the outsourcing industry as demonstrating superior leadership and delivering consistently positive results through outsourcing or shared services. COEs may work as customers, providers or advisors and typically hold, or have held, C-level positions in public or private institutions worldwide.
• Certified Outsourcing Specialist (COS) is a family of certifications that recognize individuals primarily involved in the delivery of outsourcing services. The first certification is the COS Transaction Processing (COS-TP) certification. To receive the COS-TP certification, professionals must demonstrate proficiency in data entry speed and accuracy by taking the COS-TP test, previously known as the IAOP OperatorEvaluator exam. Any prior IAOP OperatorEvaluator scores and ratings will automatically become an identical IAOP COS-TP score and rating. Other certifications under the COS family are currently under development.
