Employment Law stakeholders have made it clear they think advocates should have qualifications available. Ringa Hora would now like expert help in drawing those qualifications up.

No qualifications are required for someone to become an employment advocate, and concerns were expressed last year about the prospect of people needing help in employment hearings receiving poor or unaccountable representation.

Sector representatives have since held a series of webinars with Ringa Hora, and the consensus was that education credentials should be developed.

These credentials will, however, only be fit for purpose if they are developed with expert involvement from people in the employment advocacy sector, which is why Ringa Hora is seeking expressions of interest of those who want to be part of this.

The aim is to produce credentials that ensure high standards of employment advocacy, and to strengthen the confidence that members of the public have in their advocates.

Anyone interested in helping draw up the credentials can fill out this form. It contains some information on the ways you can assist in the discussion. Expressions of interest can be submitted until March 17.

More details about steering groups, working groups, and consultation groups which develop credentials can be seen at this link.

For those seeking some background about the discussions on this topic, you can read a summary of the webinars here.

If you have any further enquiries, please email [email protected].