WHAT MAKES SACIA UNIQUE IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY?

There are dozens of associations in the events industry, and it’s sometimes difficult to understand what they all do. Why do they exist? What purpose do they serve? How do they empower their members? Why should you join? When you look at the Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA), these are easy questions to answer says Kevan Jones , the association’s executive director.

We’re a professional body mandated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to develop, award and revoke professional designations for the events industry. These designations are awarded based on a review of an individual’s competence, education, work experience and work ethic. In exploring the breadth and depth of an individual’s knowledge, we require candidates for a designation to write an examination and provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence.

SAQA refers to these criteria as the ‘4 Es of Excellence’ and, when you review them in tandem, they provide an accurate picture of a person’s competence and character.

In addition, we are obligated to encourage industry professionals to participate in a programme of continuing professional development and abide by a code of professional conduct that binds them to a higher standard of business and ethics.

Our members in the events industry wear the white hats because they’ve proven their knowledge and competence, and provided a written commitment to behave ethically and professionally. If they fail to honour that promise, disciplinary processes hold them accountable, with penalties for unethical or unprofessional conduct.

SACIA awards eight designations for individuals working in the events industry, covering event management, event safety and event technology. These are divided into our Associate level designations aimed at recent graduates and newcomers to the industry, our Practitioner level designations aimed at more experienced individuals, and our Professional level designations aimed at people with deep knowledge and experience in the sector.

It’s relatively simple to apply for a designation.

The first step is to write the online examination that can be accessed through the SACIA website. A panel of expert practitioners has developed almost 2 000 multiple-choice questions across several core subjects. Each test comprises 100 questions relevant to your area of specialisation. These are drawn from the question bank in a random sequence, so even if two people sitting side by side are writing the same test, they’ll be asked different questions with randomised answer options. These test the breadth and depth of your knowledge across several core subjects.

In the same way that there are several designations, there are also several exams, so a person applying for recognition as an event manager would write a different exam to someone applying for recognition as an event rigger or an event safety officer. Likewise, several skills need to be tested in a practical environment, so a person applying for a designation as an event safety officer needs to provide a portfolio of evidence that includes a risk assessment and an event safety plan for an event they’ve worked on.

All in all, it’s a vigorous assessment process that allows us to ensure that we recognise excellence, knowledge and competence.

These designations give SACIA a unique position in the events industry, creating opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with every other association in our sector. Why not earn a professional designation that recognises your skill and competence? Visit the SACIA website and determine the most appropriate designation for you.

By Morwesi Ramonyai, chairperson, EGF