Partnering Certifications
To Achieve IPI's Mission, we must have
skilled and committed partnering facilitators
Our Vision
To create a renowned Certified Partnering Facilitator network offering leading edge partnering services, based on the IPI Best Practices, that develop high trust relationships resulting in the most successful projects in the world and a shift to a culture of partnership.
The Integrated Partnering Program™ at the
International Partnering Institute
Our Integrated Partnering Program elements are based on IPI’s Best Practices Research and have been incorporated into the partnering model used for the certification training. The IPI Best Practices are a result of the lessons learned and collective wisdom of our Forum Participants. As patterns emerge, these lessons learned are culled and developed into IPI’s Best Practices.
IPI Certifications
IPI offers two types of partnering certification at two different levels.
For those who wish to hone their skills as a partnering facilitator and provide evidence of their ability, the Certified Partnering Facilitator (CPF) certification is available. For those who have been conducting partnering facilitation for many years, the Master Certified Partnering Facilitator (MPF) is available.
IPI also offers certification for those facilitators who perform Facilitated Dispute Resolution services. The Certified Dispute Resolution Facilitator (DRF) is for skilled neutrals that have experience in collaborative resolution of disputes and construction. Those practitioners who have extensive experience as a DRF may apply to become a Master Certified Partnering Facilitator (MDR).
Below you will find more detail about each of these IPI Certifications.
Certified Partnering Facilitator (CPF)
Program Objectives
The intended outcomes for the Certified Partnering Facilitator (CPF) Certification are threefold:
- To assure owners and contractors that partnering facilitators have a certain level of competence and knowledge;
- To increase the pool of qualified facilitators; and
- To share and implement lessons-learned on how to make partnering succeed on projects.
About the CPF Certification Program
The CPF Certification Program is a combination of classroom training, industry experience and demonstrated competence as a facilitator. Candidates must meet minimum application criteria and be selected for participation in the program, complete the 40-hour IPI CPF Program training and facilitate an additional ten partnering sessions to receive a CPF designation. The certification is valid for a period of four years and continuing education is required for recertification.
Applicant Criteria
Our candidates include facilitators, trainers and other leaders who are skilled in building teams and who are committed to improving the construction process through partnering. The minimum criteria for applicants entering the Program is as follows:
- Construction Experience – at least 5 years working in the industry.
- Facilitation Experience – at least 25 sessions.
- Leadership Experience – at least 5 years as a manager, senior manager or higher.
The Application/Selection Process
Candidates must submit an application that demonstrates compliance with the minimum criteria, provide two letters of recommendation and pay the application fee. The IPI Board of Review will evaluate applications; interview candidates in person or by phone; and select only enough candidates to fill the available session openings, plus an alternate.
Program Costs and Benefits *
The CPF Program Certification cost is only $12,000 (including the $250 application fee). Facilitators can earn over $150,000 a year and the CPF designation positions individuals to be a provider of choice. Candidates receive 40 hours of classroom training with an instructor to participant ratio of no more than 1:5; training manual, reference materials and IPI research papers; business management and marketing tips; and one-on-one coaching/ mentoring on an on-call basis for a period of one year.
Download a pdf version of this information
Certified Dispute Resolution Facilitator (DRF)
Program Objectives
The Certified Dispute Resolution Facilitator Program responds to an emerging industry demand for a collaborative resolution process as an extension of partnering. The program objectives include:
- Creating a pool of highly-qualified professionals who are skilled in facilitated dispute resolution process;
- Identifying best practices and lessons learned; and
- Establishing a culture for the collaborative dispute resolution process.
About the DRF Certification Program
The DRF Certification Program is a combination of classroom training, industry experience and demonstrated competence as a neutral facilitator of disputes. Candidates must meet minimum application criteria and be selected for participation in the program, complete the 16-hour IPI DRF Program training and facilitate an additional five dispute resolution sessions to receive a DRF designation. The certification is valid for a period of four years and continuing education is required for recertification.
Applicant Criteria
Our candidates include facilitators, mediators, and other trained neutrals who are skilled in collaborative resolution of disputes and are committed to improving the partnering process. The minimum criteria is as follows:
- Construction Experience – at least 5 years working in the industry.
- Conflict/Dispute Resolution Training – at least 20 days of training attended or presented (as trainer).
- Neutral Experience – at least 50 days serving as a professional neutral for project disputes or in court.
- Demonstrated Knowledge – submission of a white paper on lessons-learned or other aspect of collaborative dispute resolution.
The Application/Selection Process
Candidates must submit an application that demonstrates compliance with the minimum criteria, write the required article/white paper for future publication by IPI, provide two letters of recommendation and pay the application fee. The IPI Board of Review will evaluate applications; interview candidates in person or by phone; and select only enough candidates to fill the available session openings, plus an alternate.
Program Costs and Benefits *
The DRF Program Certification cost is only $6,000 (including the $250 application fee). The DRF designation positions individuals to be a provider of choice throughout the construction industry. Candidates receive 16 hours of classroom training with an instructor to participant ratio of no more than 1:5; training manual, reference materials and IPI research papers; and one-on-one coaching/ mentoring on an on-call basis for a period of six months.
Download a pdf version of this information
Master Level Partnering Facilitator Certification (MCPF)
Program Objectives
The Master Certified Partnering Facilitator (MCPF) program recognizes those professionals who are already established in the profession with an intention to:
- Bring together their expertise, wisdom and lessons-learned;
- Add to the partnering body of knowledge; and
- Create a higher demonstrated standard.
About the MCPF Certification
The MCPF Certification recognizes established partnering facilitators based on demonstrated knowledge, performance and success in the profession. Candidates must meet minimum application criteria and be selected by a panel of peers for certification. The certification is valid for a period of four years and continuing education is required for recertification.
Applicant Criteria
Our candidate pool includes established facilitators who actively develop and lead partnering sessions and are committed to the partnering process. The minimum criteria for applicants entering the Program is as follows:
- Facilitation Experience – at least 5 years as a Certified Partnering Facilitator (CPF) or 10 years conducting partnering sessions.
- Partnering Workshops – at least 250 sessions conducted.
- Demonstrated Knowledge – submission of a white paper on lessons-learned or other aspect of Partnering.
The Application/Selection Process
Candidates must submit an application that demonstrates compliance with the minimum criteria, supply or develop the required article/white paper for future publication by IPI, provide two letters of recommendation and pay the application fee. The IPI Board of Review will evaluate applications; interview candidates in person or by phone; and select candidates qualified to receive the MCPF designation.
Program Costs and Benefits*
The application fee for the MCPF Program Certification is $1,500. This cost includes the processing fee plus one year of membership in IPI ($600/year). The MCPF designation demonstrates to potential clients that you are a leader in the profession, guarantees publication of your article in the IPI Journal and allows you to participate in IPI’s Masters Circle.
Download a pdf version of this information
Continuing Education
Continuing education is required to maintain all IPI partnering certifications.
*Note: costs subject to change
Having just completed a four day intensive training program in construction partnering facilitation with the International Partnering Institute (IPI) last week, I'd like to thank you for the excellent training that I received.
That training was likely the single best learning experience that I have experienced - and that includes comparision to my graduation from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with an engineering technology diploma, a bachelor of Commerece degree from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Athabasca University.
I appreciated that you put a lot of effort into working with me to design an intensive program that would meet myh needs to launch the construction partenring component of my consulting business... The IPI training provided me with tools that I can apply direclty and immediately to my business to help improve the admistration of construction projects in Alberta and the rest of Canada.
A. Lowe, MBA, B. Comm., C.E.T.
President
.
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