Providing the knowledge, skills and attitudes for effective interviewing
What is the aim of the Accredited Interviewer Training Scheme (AITS)?
- To equip trainers to deliver competency-based interviewer training,
and to gain MRS Accredited Trainer status.
- To support organisations which incorporate AITS standards into their
interviewer training, and to become Accredited Interviewer Training
Providers.
What does the MRS supply to support the AITS?
- The AITS interviewer training materials (including a manual and
a video).
- The AITS trainer materials support the training of interviewers
and provide guidance and examples activities which trainers can use
to deliver the training.
- The AITS is a flexible scheme. It recognises that your organisation
may have already developed good training schemes for interviewers
and these can be incorporated into the AITS training materials.

How
is the AITS assessed?
The first stage of the accreditation process is for trainers to attend
a one-day MRS trainers induction workshop.
The induction workshop covers:
- The principles of adult learning and how to get the best out of
individuals training to be interviewers
- The structure and contents of the AITS training materials
- Guidance on how to build your own effective AITS training programme
- Direction on how to develop Continuous Professional Development
into the training of interviewers.
After this training organisations are given between 3-12 months to
apply the information and techniques gained at the trainers workshop
to their training of interviewers. Once this has been achieved the MRS
visits the organisations to assess the application of the training and
after this organisations and their trainers achieve accreditation.
How can I apply for the AITS?
To become an Accredited Interviewer Training Provider your organisation
needs to sign up to the AITS licence agreement. This agreement provides
access to the trainer induction workshops, the training materials, and
provides a route to the accreditation of the provider, the trainers
and the interviewers. To apply for the licence agreement complete the
on-line application form, or call John Bizzell on 020 7490 4911.
The AITS entry requirements
Organisations wishing to apply to become Accredited Interviewer Training
Providers must have one Full Member of the MRS.
MRS Certificate in Interviewing Skills for Market & Social Research
Specifically for market research interviewers, the MRS Certificate in Interviewing Skills for Market & Social Research is awarded to all interviewers who complete the MRS Accredited Interviewer Training Scheme (AITS). It provides recognition of the skills and knowledge they have developed through work-based learning.
This qualification complements the Accredited Interviewer status which is already awarded as part of the Scheme. To complete the AITS and gain the Certificate, new interviewers need to follow an initial training course and then complete a work-based portfolio showing how their work has developed over a period of between three and six months. The Certificate is also available for experienced interviewers who would like to have recognition of their existing skills. Interviewers who have substantial work experience can be assessed in the workplace for the qualification and, if they meet the required standard, they are awarded the Certificate.
For more information email John Bizzell - john.bizzell@mrs.org.uk.
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